By Xinhua writers Zhu Yifan, Gui Tao and Ji Shaoting

    BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- The cries of stunned Chinese fans rang through the National Stadium as the dream of seeing their hero defend his Olympic title on home soil was unexpectedly shattered.

    In front of large screens set up in restaurants and public plazas, surprised crowds heatedly argued about his shock withdrawal from the Beijing Olympic Games on Monday.

    The cameras of CCTV, the country's national television broadcaster, followed Liu Xiang as soon as the 25-year-old star appeared on the track at the Bird's Nest stadium in his first-round heat for the 110-meter hurdles. The tension and anticipation was high in the sold-out stadium as a helicopter hovered above, poised to capture Liu defence of his crown.

    But the Shanghai native winced in pain after leaping over only a few hurdles in warm-up. A right foot injury was obviously hindering his movement as he staggered back to the starting point.

    After a false start by one of his competitors, Liu tore the starting number from his leg and left the track. It was then that the shocked spectators learned of his withdrawal.

     AN UNEXPECTED ENEMY

    After the initial shock, CCTV sports commentator Liu Jianhong said in a live broadcast: "Only Liu Xiang knows how serious his injury is. He has the right to pull out, and we should understand him.

    "Luckily, it was a false start. Liu already started to hobble when he only took a few steps. The impact of the injury is obvious. We all know what the Beijing Olympics means to Liu Xiang. When injury came, he had to make his choice, a choice I think is correct," the commentator said.

    He also suggested fans give Liu some time to get back in shape.

    "Injury is an unexpected enemy. We are looking forward to the next time when he stands on the starting line of the 110-meter hurdles."

     SUPPORT FROM VIRTUAL SPACE

    People at home and at work who had glued themselves to the TV at lunchtime, could not believe their eyes -- they thought they had guessed every possibility, but not this one.

    But even in their disappointment, a large number of Chinese gave their favorite sportsman some understanding and sympathy in virtual space.

    Countless comments emerged in online forums and on Liu's own website. "Many fellow Chinese irrationally judge our athletes only by whether they get the medal," wrote a netizen from the southern Guangdong Province on Sina.com. "If they do, they are carried to heaven; if not, it is hell that awaits. Liu Xiang is a man, not God. All men might fail. We should have a heart of tolerance for him,"

    "Liu did not lose! Liu is not wrong! Go Liu Xiang!" a young man named "Music Hero" said in his blog after recalling the glorious memories Liu gave China when he won the country's first track gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics and broke world records in later competitions.

    In a survey by sina.com, more than 120,000 people said they "understood" Liu's choice. The number almost equalized those who described his exit as "shocking and unbelievable."

     HOPE REMAINS AS LIFE GOES ON

    On Monday evening, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping contacted the General Administration of Sport to send his regards to the injured star.

    In his telegram, Xi expressed his hope that Liu, after he recovered, would make harder efforts for the national glory.

    In a press conference after Liu's exit, Sun Haiping, Liu's personal coach for 12 years, said the hurdler would definitely make a comeback in future.

    He added Liu would not compete at meets in Europe this year, so as to continue his recovery.

    In his hometown Shanghai, college student Hong Jingxian reasoned Liu was still young and had a long way to go.

    "In the 2012 London Olympic Games, I will still cheer for Liu who will retrieve what he lost in Beijing," she said.

    Dong Lu, a well-known ex-footballer, said in Beijing: "It is an end that everyone felt was hard to swallow. But it is unchangeable. What you cannot change, all you can do is accept."

    "It is not that important, either the gold medal four years ago or the decision to quit today. Life goes on."

    Chinese vice president expresses sympathy to Liu Xiang 

    BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping telegraphed the General Administration of Sport on Monday to express concern and sympathy for track star Liu Xiang, who pulled out of the men's 110-meter hurdles in a first-round heat with a foot injury at the Beijing Olympic Games.

    Chinese state leaders were very concerned with the Shanghai native's injury, and hoped the gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics would get timely treatment and recover soon, said Xi, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.  Full story