Liu Xiang leaps into new history text

A photo of former Olympic champion Liu Xiang during his crowning moment at the Athens Olympics has been included in a newly published "Chinese History" textbook for junior middle school students.

The textbook, published by the East China Normal University in Liu's hometown of Shanghai, where he is pursuing his Masters and Doctors degrees in sports administration, features the star's photo in chapter 20, Culture, Arts and Sports.

Its caption reads: "At the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, Liu claimed the gold medal of the men's 110m hurdles and broke the Olympic record. It was the first gold medal for either Chinese or even Asian runners in sprinting events at the Olympic Games."