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Liu Xiang Drops Out of NY Race

Monday, 2nd June 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

New York—Liu Xiang, 110-meter hurdles world record holder, dropped out of the Reebok Grand Prix this weekend with a tight hamstring. The USA's Terrence Trammell won the race in 13.11 seconds and Liu's teammate Shi Dongpeng took fifth place.

The event's organizers had heavily promoted Liu's presence at the Grand Prix, one of only two races he was to run between now and the 2008 Olympics. Bilingual materials were distributed to Chinese communities around the tri-state area. According to Xinhua, Liu thanked his fans for coming and said, "I hope everybody will cheer for the other athletes." He is scheduled to run in the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, on June 8.

Tags: athletics, Liu Xiang, New York, track and field

First He Takes Manhattan

Saturday, 31st May 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

Liu Xiang at the top of the Empire State Building
Liu Xiang at the top of the Empire State Building
Before he defends his Olympic gold in Beijing, 110-meter hurdles world record holder Liu Xiang will defend a much smaller title in New York City. Liu is competing at the Reebok Grand Prix at Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island on May 31st.
The image above, from an insert in China's Soccer news, shows Liu on top of the Empire State Building under the header, 飞翔(Flying Xiang). Xiang, appropriately, means to hover or circle in the air.

For more information about the event, go to the Reebok Grand Prix home page.

If you are in New York, a $5 bus from 125th St. makes it easy to get out to the stadium.

Tags: Liu Xiang, New York