Liu Xiang's recovery is good, says Chinese delegation chief

LONDON - Chinese hurdler and former Olympic champion Liu Xiang is in good recovery after he underwent a surgery on his right foot, Chinese delegation chief Liu Peng said on Sunday.

The top Chinese track and field star had an surgery to repair a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot at the Wellington hospital of London on Thursday after he crashed out of his 110m hurdles heat at the Olympic Games Wednesday.

"Liu has been the center of attention since he was injured. He already had the surgery in Wellington hospital and he is in recovery. Everything is good," said Liu during a Chinese delegation briefing on the last day of the 17-day sport extravaganza.

Liu Xiang shot to fame after winning gold at the Athens Games. But he was struck by an Achilles injury which forced him out of the Beijing Games right before his heat.

The problem returned to haunt the 29-year-old Shanghai native in London and he crashed onto the track when he tried in vain to clear the first hurdle in Tuesday's heat.

He sat there holding his right foot for a while, then got up, hopped down the track, kissing the final hurdle before being consoled by his fellow competitors. He left the track in a wheelchair and was taken to hospital.

After his surgery, Shanghai Sport Bureau head Li Yuyi told reporters that the one-hour-19-minute surgery was intended to help the Shanghai native return to the track.

"The goal of the surgery is to let Liu Xiang start his sport career again. Doctors are satisfied with the surgery and Liu is in a good mood now," said Li.

Liu is scheduled to fly back to Shanghai on Tuesday.

China's Liu Xiang holds his leg after suffering an injury in his men's 110m hurdles round 1 heat at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, Aug 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]