From Athens Glory to National Hero

The story of Liu Xiang represents one of modern China’s most compelling sports narratives. Born in Shanghai on July 13, 1983, Liu initially trained as a high jumper before switching to the 110-meter hurdles at age 15. His breakthrough came at the 2002 Asian Games where he won gold, but few could predict what would happen two years later in Athens.

On August 28, 2004, the 21-year-old shocked the world by winning China’s first-ever Olympic gold in men’s track and field. His time of 12.91 seconds equaled the world record, making him an instant national icon. Journalists described scenes of unprecedented celebration across China – men reportedly draped themselves in bedsheets like flags while shouting “I am Liu Xiang!” The victory held special significance as it came in an event traditionally dominated by Western athletes, breaking racial stereotypes in sprint events.

The Weight of Expectations (2005-2007)

The post-Athens years saw Liu grappling with sudden fame. In 2005 alone, he received over 2,000 interview requests and countless commercial offers, including one lunch invitation priced at 200,000 yuan. His father Liu Xuegen wisely cautioned: “What comes next won’t test your athletic ability, but your character.”

Despite the distractions, Liu reached new athletic heights. On July 11, 2006, he broke the world record in Lausanne with 12.88 seconds, a moment he described simply as “爽!” (Amazing!). The following year at the 2007 Osaka World Championships, competing with fever and from the unfavorable lane 9, Liu claimed China’s first world title in the event with a gutsy 12.95 performance. These achievements cemented his status as China’s most beloved athlete since table tennis star Deng Yaping.

The Beijing Heartbreak

The 2008 Beijing Olympics should have been Liu’s crowning moment. Instead, it became his most painful chapter. During warm-ups for his preliminary heat on August 18, the defending champion aggravated a chronic Achilles injury. In the stadium where 91,000 spectators had come specifically to watch him, Liu shocked the nation by withdrawing.

The backlash was immediate and brutal. Many accused him of quitting to avoid embarrassment, despite well-documented injuries. A taxi driver’s comment captured the public mood: “If he can’t win, he’s just a bear [loser].” Few acknowledged that Liu had been competing with a calcified Achilles that required five years of cortisone injections.

Redemption and Final Act

After undergoing surgery in Houston, Liu embarked on a grueling two-year comeback. He modified his technique, switching from eight to seven steps between hurdles. By 2012, his training times suggested he could challenge the world record again.

But at the London Olympics, tragedy struck again. During the preliminary heat, Liu’s Achilles tendon ruptured at the first hurdle. In an unforgettable moment, he hopped the length of the track to kiss the final hurdle goodbye – a poignant farewell to Olympic competition.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

Liu’s career mirrored China’s own Olympic ambitions. His 2004 victory symbolized China’s arrival as a sporting superpower, while his injuries exposed the immense pressure placed on athletes. The public’s polarized reactions – from worship to vilification – reflected broader societal attitudes about success and failure.

Statistically, Liu remains Asia’s greatest track athlete:
– Olympic gold (2004)
– World Champion (2007)
– World Record holder (2006-2008)
– First athlete to win Olympic, World Championship and World Record in 110m hurdles

Today, younger generations have begun reevaluating Liu’s legacy. During the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, “We owe Liu Xiang an apology” trended on Chinese social media. But as Liu himself has said, he needs no apology – his achievements speak for themselves.

His story endures as a testament to athletic brilliance, the cruelty of high expectations, and ultimately, the resilience of the human spirit. In Chinese sports history, there was only one Liu Xiang – not just for his medals, but for the unprecedented rollercoaster of adulation and criticism he endured with quiet dignity.