Meet Excellent Chinese Athlete Liu Xiang at the 2012 London Olympics

With the London Olympics fast upon us, WSJ.com introduces the athletes selected to compete at the Summer Games. Check back as CRT profiles athletes from China, Chinese Taipei and Hong Kong.

Name: Liu Xiang

Event: Hurdles

Born: July 13, 1983

Career

As a world record holder, a world champion, and an Olympic medal winner, Liu Xiang is one of China's highest-profile athletes. The Shanghai-native first earned his now heroic fame in his home country when winning his first gold medal in Athens in 2004, setting a record time of 12.91 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles.

Track and field watchers expect Mr. Liu to be a top contender for a gold medal at London's summer games, helping the 6-foot-2 star avenge a disappointing performance on his home turf in 2008. It was then at the Beijing Olympics that Mr. Liu, bearing national expectations to dominate, withdrew from the competition, pointing to a painful Achilles tendon injury and disappointing many.

Now Mr.Liu is back on the winning track, having recently won the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in early May.

Quote:

"There are a lot of strong rivals so you just have to concentrate on your own conditioning and training."

* Original address of this China gift post: Meet Excellent Chinese Athlete Liu Xiang at the 2012 London Olympics