By Sportswriter Wang Zijiang

     ATHENS, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- Newly crowned men's 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang said that his win is the pride of China, Asia and all the Chinese people aross the world.

    "This victory is the pride of China," said an excited Liu Xiang."It's also the pride of Asia and all the Chinese people across the world."

    Liu stormed to the champion with a stunning world record-equalling time of 12.91 seconds. This was the first time for an Asian athlete to win the event in history.

    "This is a miracle, but I believe a lot more miracles will takeplace in China," he said.

    "My victory has proved that athletes with yellow skin can run as fast as those with black and white skins.

    "I want to cry, but now I don't have any tears. I'm just too exicted."

    The 21-year-old Shanghai native, who usually started poor, had a perfect start to run smoothly from start to the end but it was asurprise for him to beat the Olympic record of 12.95 seconds set by American great Allen Johnson in 1996 Olympics.

    "I never expected that I can run inside 13 seconds, and I never expected that I could break the Olympic record," said Liu in tears."I am very, very excited."

    "He is a hero, he is the pride of the whole China," said Luo Chaoyi, president of the Chinese Athletics Admistration, governing body of the country's track and field.

    Terrence Trammell of the United States, silver medalist at boththe Sydney Olympics and last year's world championships, won the silver in 13.18.

    Defending champion Anier Garcia of Cuba took the bronze in 13.20. Enditem