2009 top ten news

Top 10 heart-warming moments 2009

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-12-17 13:56

5. "Cast off the burden, tomorrow is long"

Olympic gold medalist Liu Xiang (C) from Shanghai jubilates while Ji Wei(L) of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team and Shi Dongpeng from Hebei watch on the podium after the men's 110m hurdles of athletics at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, October 25, 2009. [Xinhua]

Nine days before his third victory in a row at a national event in October, hurdler Liu Xiang dissolved into tears, twice, less for his career-threatening foot injury that forced him to limp out of the Beijing Olympics 14 month ago, but rather the heartwarming voice from a special top leader.

"Is your foot well?" Chinese President Hu Jintao, holding Liu's hand, asked the speechless athlete at the beginning of a meeting with the athlete and coaching representatives in the host city Jinan, capital of Shandong province on Oct. 16, the opening day of the 11th China National Games.

"I was about to answer, but too thrilled to come up with anything. Tears just flowed out of my eyes." Liu said to reporters later.

Lingering problems with Liu's torn Achilles' tendon bumped the sport celebrity's return to the track. He resumed light training after surgery on his right foot last December at Houston, Texas. In September the hurdler finished second at the Golden Grand Prix event in his hometown Shanghai, in 13.15 second, far off his world record of 12.88 in 2006, which was surpassed in June by Cuban Dayron Robles (12.87). The fans were still roaring for the Chinese track star, so was the pressure.

Then, President Hu had a piece of advice for Liu. The top leader was about to leave the meeting when he walked back to a surprised Liu.

"Let me tell you, cast off the burden, tomorrow is long." Hu said, according to Liu.

Twentysix-year-old Liu was in a second wave of tears, and again, speechless.

The hurdler picked up gold of the men's 110m hurdles at the national event. He won the same at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong in December and said the 2012 London Olympics were one of his major goals now.

Chinese Liu Xiang speaks to the media after winning the men's 110 metres hurdles final at the East Asian Games in Hong Kong December 11, 2009. [Agencies]