China's Liu Xiang kneels down while warming up prior to the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The defending champion Liu Xiang dropped out after getting injury. (Xinhua/Liu Yu) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Liu Xiang would have persevered in his Olympic 110-meter hurdles bid had his foot injury not have been giving him excruciating pain, said Zhang Wei, who helped write the track star's autobiography published in 2004.

    "I was so upset and heart-broken when I saw him tear off his number and limp into the tunnel. It was too tough for him," said Zhang, a sports reporter with the Shanghai-based Jiefang Daily, who has covered Liu's story since the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and been a close friend.

    "I did not know Liu's injury had been so serious that it might affect his competition at the Olympics until two weeks ago," Zhang said.

China's Liu Xiang (L) leaves the tracks after getting injury in the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ga) Photo Gallery>>>

    Zhang said he had been calling Liu's coach, Sun Haiping, every day for the last two weeks. "I felt more and more worried every day when I heard his injury was getting worse."

    In the trials a few days before Monday's competition, Liu jumped the first two hurdles perfectly, but his body was almost deformed when he started the third, Zhang said Sun had told him on the phone.

    "I have been reporting Liu for the past four years, and I know how much Liu and his coach have sacrificed for the Beijing Olympics," said Zhang, who said he sobbed at the press conference held shortly after Liu quit the competition on Monday morning.

    Zhang said Liu Xiang called his father on Saturday, telling him that his foot hurt, but he was determined to race. Liu's parents were not answering their phones on Monday.

China's Liu Xiang reacts prior to the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The defending champion Liu Xiang dropped out after getting injury. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Photo Gallery>>>

    Dubbed by Liu "Brother Wei", Zhang Wei is one of Liu's closest friends and they sometimes hang out and play table tennis together.

    "Liu always keeps in his mind that he has to win. His courage is unimaginable," Zhang said.