Don't expect to see Liu back on track in 2013

China's star hurdler, Liu Xiang, is likely to be out of action for the entire 2013 track and field season, and organizers of this year's Shanghai Diamond League meet are worried.

Sun Haiping, the long-time coach of 30-year-old Liu, said on Tuesday the sprinter won't be back in China until he has fully recovered from the right Achilles tendon injury he sustained at the 2012 London Olympics. He has been receiving treatment in the United States.

His recovery will be a slow process, Sun said on the sidelines of a media conference on Tuesday. "We expect a full recovery, but he cannot take part in any training now, and therefore he will probably miss all meets this year."