Liu camp refusing to accept surgery verdict

Houston doctors have confirmed the opinion that Liu Xiang requires surgery on a calcified tendon but China's world champion hurdler is seeking further advice and a less dramatic treatment for the foot injury that saw him withdraw from the Beijing Olympics in August.

Liu and his coach Sun Haiping flew to the United States last week for a second opinion but doctors there have drawn the same conclusions as their Chinese counterparts that surgery is his best option.

"The doctors suggested surgery, but we will see more doctors in the US and collect more opinions," Sun said in an interview during a Houston Rockets NBA game on Sunday.