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. Full story

China Focus: Amid shock, disappointment, fans sympathize with Liu Xiang's withdrawal

    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. Full story

Liu Xiang: I really don't want to quit         "I feel very sad. I really don't want to quit," said Liu Xiang after he pulled out of the Olympic 110m hurdles first round because of the tendon injury to the right foot on Monday morning.  Full story

IAAF spokesperson: wish Liu best luck and coming back soon      "I am a hundred percent sure that Liu came through a lot pain to quit the competition," said Anna Legnani, spokesperson and deputy director of communications of International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).  Full story

Liu Xiang quits games, but never out     Online reaction was swift and supportive. "We support you, you are still the best." "You have tried your best. You are still the champion." "I wish you will be fine soon" read some comments posted on the website of Xinhua News Agency. Full story

Olympic 110m hurdles becomes less charismatic without Liu, Trammell         The quit of both defending champion Liu Xiang and silver medalist Terrence Trammell made the competition less charismatic. Full story

Liu's coach breaks down in press conference          Liu Xiang's head coach Sun Haiping broke into tears in the press conference while hailing his student as a "fighter". Full story

Achilles heel forces Liu out of Olympics      Sun Haiping said Liu Xiang has been suffering from the Achilles' heel injury for six to seven years.   Full story

Liu Xiang is a fighter, said athletics chief      "If his injury weren't so serious, he would never, ever have quit," said Feng Shuyong, deputy director of the Chinese athletics administrative center and head coach of the Chinese team.  Full story

Athletics chief: People can understand the situation       "I believe all the Chinese people can understand the situation," said Feng Shuyong, deputy director of the Chinese athletics administrative center and head coach of the Chinese team.Full story China head coach talks about Liu's quit      Head coach of the Chinese athletic team Feng Shuyong said he was very upset about Liu Xiang's quit from the Olympic men's 110m hurdles Monday morning.  Full story Mentor: Liu Xiang fights his fortune     Mentor of defending Olympic champion Liu Xiang said Monday morning that his pupil was fighting his fortune as warming up into the first round of the Olympic men's 110m hurdles heats.  Full story

Backgrounder: chronology of injuries of China's champion hurdler Liu Xiang     The following is a brief chronology of injuries suffered by Liu Xiang, the Olympic champion for men's 110m hurdles at the Athens Olympics. Full story