Liu Xiang relieved to return to track
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-09-17 09:17

Athens Olympic 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang felt so relieved to return to racetrack after getting out of the great deal of social activities.

Liu arrived in hometown Shanghai Wednesday night and was about to resume training shortly after.

"I am so exhausted from so many social activities, which made me even more tired than training," said the 21-year-old Liu, who wrote a new chapter in China's Olympic history by winning the country's first ever athletics short-distance running title in the men's 110m hurdles in Athens in August.

"I am happy that I will resume my training soon back in Shanghai," said the Shanghai native.

He turned into an instant national hero with the Olympic glory and one of the most popular Olympic gold medalists, taking part in scores of celebration activities since he returned to China early September.

"My regular training has been interrupted for such a long time that I think I can only run at about 13.5 seconds now," said Liu, who clocked a world record-tying time of 12.91 to clinch the title.

"I would rather forget what I have achieved in the past and try my best to realize a higher goal," he said.

Liu already missed the Berlin Golden League series on Sunday and won't be able to catch the IAAF Grand Prix final slated for September 18-19 in Monaco.

He plans on attending an IAAF all-star tournament in Japan at the end of this month.
 

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