China in shock as Liu crashes out

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China was in shock Tuesday as athletics hero Liu Xiang crashed out of the Olympic 110m hurdles in a nightmarish reminder of the 2008 Beijing Games when he was forced to withdraw.
Even state television sports commentator Yang Jian could not hold back his tears as he reported the news to a stunned nation. His sobs were heard live during the broadcast of Liu’s elimination.
Liu, a former world record holder and winner of the 2004 Olympic crown, ploughed into the first hurdle and crashed to the ground to end his London dreams.
The Internet was instantly flooded with comments on the national hero’s performance, with Liu nicknamed “Liu Shuaishuai” (Liu fell-fell) on Sina Weibo, China’s version of Twitter.
“I never imagined that you would say goodbye in this way to your third Olympiad,” one commentator using the name “Maymaypmp” said in a microblog posted on Sina Weibo.
Liu — who has been troubled by back and foot problems in the past month — was helped off the track and then taken away from the arena in a wheelchair and then to the medical centre.
“A single injury to a man causes suffering to a population of 1.3 billion people,” said another user posting as “AAAAA”.
“How cruel competitive sports are! Liu Xiang is getting old,” said “Kouyamin”, also on Weibo.