Sports chief plays down Liu Xiang's comeback talk

Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang has nothing more to prove on the field so there is no need for him to rush back out there and make a comeback at the National Games next year, said a sports chief on Saturday.

"From my point of view, I hope Liu will not take part in the National Games (in 2013)," said Li Yuyi, director of the Shanghai Sports Bureau.

Liu Xiang underwent surgery on Aug 10 on his Achilles tendon after crashing out during his 110m hurdles heat at the London Games, and he is expected to resume training in the next six months. The 12th National Games will be held in Liaoning province next August and September in 2013.

"He needs neither another gold medal nor a new word record to prove himself. He's done both before," said Li. "He managed to come back and his earlier results have spoke of what a terrific athlete he is."

Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang is wheeled out of Pudong International Airport in Shanghai, Aug 14, 2012. [Photo/CFP]