Liu Xiang, who on Thursday lost his Olympic crown to Cuban Dayron Robles, has vowed he will come back stronger than ever for next year's World Championships and the 2012 London Olympics.
China's most famous sports star and the 2004 Olympic champion at the 110 m hurdles withdrew with an injury from his qualifying heat, to the surprise and disappointment of his fans.
Liu Xiang of China grimaces in pain during his warm-up before the start of his 110m hurdles heat of the athletics competition in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 18, 2008. [Agencies]
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"I am not upset after watching the final race," he said in his column Friday in the Liberation Daily.
"On the contrary, I felt the desire for victory burning. I am still young. I have the potential. I can fight on against him (Robles)."
Liu will stay in Beijing while he receives traditional treatment for his injury.
"I will return to Shanghai and wait for my injury to heal completely. And then I will resume training. I believe I will win," he said.
"I didn't appear in the Bird's Nest, but I believe I will be back on the track for next year's World Championships and the London Olympics."
Liu, who watched Thursday night's final on TV, said Robles' winning time of 12.93 seconds was "very good" considering the wet conditions.
"I expected David Oliver to be more of a challenge, but Robles was really in great form. Once he takes the lead, he's hard to catch," he said.
At the 2004 Athens Games, Liu won gold with a world record equaling time of 12.91 seconds. Last year, he broke the record with a time of 12.88, which in June of last year, Robles beat with his time of 12.87.
Liu, who beat the Cuban at last year's World Championships in Osaka, Japan, said he is not sure if he would have beaten Robles on Thursday, even if he had been fit.
"You can't predict the result, but as long as an athlete has tried his best, he or she will have no regrets," Liu said.
Xinhua
