Shanghai sports authority responds to Liu Xiang's dilemma post

The Shanghai Sports Bureau issued a statement on Wednesday saying it had held talks with Olympic champion Liu Xiang over his working arrangements.

The response came after the former hurdler posted on China's Weibo platform on Wednesday asking the public for advice. "I've run into a difficult problem. The sports bureau is asking me to either take a buyout or work as a coach. What should I do?" he wrote, attaching a photo of his race bib from the 2004 Athens Olympics.

After his retirement from the track in 2015, Liu was enrolled as a member of the bureau although he doesn't need to do the actual work. This is a usual practice by local sports bureau to deal with athletes with great achievements after retirement in China.

In its statement, the bureau described Liu as a decorated Shanghai athlete whose career achievements are "engraved in the city's history."

It said that the officials had communicated with Liu on Wednesday afternoon. Under relevant regulations, the bureau will arrange his placement through either keeping him employed by the bureau or self-employment, which gives him a lump-sum payment.

The bureau stated that it maintains close communication with the hurdling legend to ensure all related support work is properly handled.

Liu pushed back in a post on late Wednesday. "I have never left — not because I didn't want to, but because you didn't let me. Ten years later, suddenly they want to 'place' me."

He said coaching at his age without experience "would ruin others' futures," and that he did not fully understand what a "buyout" meant.

Liu won the 110m hurdles gold at Athens 2004 in 12.91 seconds, becoming the first Chinese man to win an Olympic track title. He broke the world record in 2006 with 12.88 seconds and won the 2007 world championship. Injuries ended his Olympic campaigns in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, and he retired in 2015.

The bureau did not disclose financial terms or specify what coaching role might be offered. Liu has not indicated his choice.

Ma Tan in Shanghai contributed to the story.