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Liu Xiang
China's best bet for an Olympic medal, Liu Xiang, might just end his country's drought in track and field event.
Born: July 13, 1982
Country: China
Weight: 74.8 kgs
Height: 188 cm
Event: Track and Field (110m Hurdles)
Record:
2003 World Championship: 3rd in 110m hurdles
2004 World Championship: 2nd in 110m hurdles
He is one of China’s top athletes and a medal contender in the 110m hurdles. No Chinese man has won an Olympic track and field medal since Zhu Jianhua who earned a high jump bronze, at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
He came to the limelight as an 18 year-old as he set a world junior and Asian record in the 110m hurdles (13.12 seconds). The Shanghai-born athlete claimed the silver medal in the world indoor championships early this year in Budapest.
His most high-profile victory in Osaka, where he beat former Olympic and World champion and Allen Johnson to win the gold, which is his first win over the American star.
The victory helped to increase the nation's expectation that he is very likely to win the gold medal in the Athens Olympic Games this summer.
