Hurdler defeated by years-old injury

The world will never know if Liu Xiang would have successfully defended his 110 m hurdles Olympic title; all that is certain is that a persistent Achilles tendon injury proved a bigger hurdle than any of the barriers he is used to flying over.

Feng Shuyong, head coach of Team China, said at a press conference just 20 minutes after Liu's exit from the Beijing Olympics, that the hurdler had no option but to withdraw after all attempts at easing his pain had failed.

Liu has been battling his Achilles tendon problems for the past four years.