China's "Flying Man of Spectacles" will be going back to his books after competing in the men's 100m on Friday.

Hu Kai, who is studying enterprise management at the prestigious Tsinghua University, said he will be hanging up his spikes and returning to his studies after the Olympics.

China's Hu Kai acknowledges the crowd after competing in the men's second round 100m heat 5 at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium as part of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 15, 2008. [Agencies]

Hu, 26, has been celebrated as a rare product of the university training system, after he became China's fastest man, clocking 10.30sec to take the men's 100m at the 2005 World Universiade.

Though he did not reach the semifinals at the Bird's Nest on Friday, Hu still achieved a historic breakthrough for China by reaching the quarterfinals.

"I have participated in the Olympic Games, and competed in my country, so I feel no regrets," he said.

"The atmosphere at the Olympics is extraordinary. The spectators here are very passionate. " Hu told the Shanghai Morning Post.

"I was not so excited when I came to the track, but when the people cheered me and called my name, I quickly pulled myself together and got my head in the game," Hu said.

Hu was the only Chinese man in the sprint competition. "I have been the fastest graduate student wearing glasses in China," he joked.

China Daily