Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang said Friday he hopes to compete against reigning Olympic champion Dayron Robles in London, despite clashing arms at the World Championships last year. Liu, 2004 Olympic gold-medallist in the 110m hurdles, had to settle for second place after he was obstructed by the Cuban in the contentious World Championships final last year. Robles was disqualified after a protest by the Chinese team, giving first place to American Jason Richardson. “Through that competition, our relationship is even better,” Liu told a press conference in Shanghai, to laughter from Chinese journalists. “I hope I can compete against him more. That way, it will serve to boost both our results.” Robles, the world record holder, hurt his back in a training accident in Spain in March, but has since returned to competition, saying he is fully recovered.
“I hope he will quickly recover with a healthy body to participate in upcoming competitions, including the Olympics,” Liu said ahead of the Diamond League meet in Shanghai, which Robles is not attending. Liu, who disappointed the Chinese home crowd by pulling out of the Beijing Olympics injured in 2008, refused to be drawn on his past injury and his specific timing goals for London. “My goal is just to go to the Olympics. No matter what the results… to be among the finalists is great,” he said.
