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29 March 2024

Liu Xiang out of Olympics in first heat

China's Liu Xiang, left, fails to clear a hurdle in a men's 110-metre hurdles heat as he competes alongside Hungary's Balazs Baji during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London on Tuesday August 7. (AP)

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By AP

Former champion Liu Xiang left the Olympics Games in the first heat of the 110-metre hurdles for the second time in a row, clutching his right Achilles after he crashed into the first obstacle.

Liu won in 2004 at Athens to become the first Chinese man to claim an Olympic track and field gold medal, but shocked the home crowd in Beijing four years later when he had to withdraw in his heat because of a right foot problem which later required surgery.

His coach had already expressed concern that Liu was less than fully fit, but still he had been expected to challenge for gold again in London.

Liu had his right Achilles taped before the race on Tuesday.