Hurdler Liu Xiang, a shy commercial star
(Shenzhen Daily)
Updated: 2005-01-31 10:18

Liu Xiang, the Athens Olympics 110-meter hurdle champion, had a role in a TV commercial shot in Shanghai on Saturday.

The Athens Olympics 110-meter champion hurdler Liu Xiang poses for a group photo with HK entertainers during a TV commercial shooting in Shanghai, January 30, 2005. [sohu]

He was appearing in a TV commercial for Coca Cola, reported to be costing almost 100 million yuan (US$12 million). Others appearing in the TV comercial included Shawn Yue from Hong Kong and girl band S.H.E and singer Pan Will from Taiwan.

Liu arrived at the set dressed in gym suit. Despite his fame as a national sports treasure, he looked shy and unassuming. He greeted everybody with a nod and a smile, obviously shy. He did not talk much and spent most of the time in a lounge before shooting began.

But Yue, the S.H.E. girls and Pan were just as excited at seeing him as any of his fans.

The script required summer dress, even though the temperature was only about six degrees Celsius. He worked in the cold without complaining.

Yue, the S.H.E. girls and Pan were excited to be working with Liu.

"Liu Xiang is the glory of all Chinese. I admire him very much. I even want him to sign his name on my back. It's very cool," Pan said.

Yue said he was proud to have the opportunity to work with Liu and other stars. He said he was unable to fall asleep the night before shooting.

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