Gold Medallist Xing fouls up winning chance
By Fang Xuan (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-10-20 16:14

This time, Xing was unable to retain the medal. Referees made the decision after closely examined a race videotape, believing Xing had “hindered the running of others and gained an advantage from it.”

Yang Ming, Liu Qing's coach, knelt down crying. [sina]

The match started at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, and Xing used the tactic of following, the same one that got her in trouble the day before. Xing came from behind to jostle with then leader Liu Qing, a student from the Tsinghua University, with only 100 meters to go.

Xing managed to win the race by just 0.02 seconds.

Officials from Liu Qing's Shanxi delegation immediately filed an appeal to the Games' referee committee while Liu's emotional coach Liu Ming cried and knelt down before a referee.

"0.02 seconds, four years, we had trained so hard," Yang sobbed. "Please give us fairness."

A three-man arbitration committee was soon formed to inspect the case. At 10:40 p.m. the final decision was released, with officials stating they believed Xing had broken the rules and had "taken advantages" from the foul.

Xing was reported to have denied she won because of the foul and planned to hold a news conference at a later time.