China's Liu Xiang kneels down while warming up. (Photo Credit: Liu Yu/Xinhua)
(BEIJING, August 18) -- In probably the biggest upset of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games for host country China so far, world champion Liu Xiang stumbled at the start of his qualifying heat in round one of the Men's 110m Hurdles on Monday morning. He later withdrew from the event entirely.
Liu reported on his own web site on Sunday that he was suffering from a sore Achilles tendon, which has affected his performance this season.
After Mohammed Issa Al-Thawadi of Qatar in lane two made a false start, Liu slipped off the blocks himself. When the athletes gathered at the start to get ready a second time, Liu was absent.
China's Liu Xiang reacts after getting injured. (Photo Credit: Li Ga/Xinhua)
David Oliver of the United States ran a time of 13.30 seconds, putting him ahead of Colombia's Paulo Villar in 13.37 seconds and Ryan Brathwaite of Barbados, who ran in 13.38 seconds.
World record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba clocked 13.39 to come in fourth.
Round two will be held on August 19, at the National Stadium.
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