Sun Haiping, coach of Chinese star hurdler Liu Xiang, has played
down Liu's medal chance in the Olympic Games, saying that reaching
the top six will be a breakthrough for Chinese track and field.
Sun, making the final preparation in Beijing for next week's
run, told reporters that the press has exaggerated Liu's ability to
win something from the Olympics.
"Chinese athletes have never won a medal from track and field in
the Olympic Games," he said. "And in the straight track (100m and
110m hurdle), it will be harder to win a medal.
"I think it will be a historic achievement for Liu to reach the
top six," said the Shanghai coach.
Liu surprised the world by equalling his own record of 13.06
seconds in a home event in Tianjin, east China, which again
raisedthe expectation of the fans. But American great Allen Johnson
still holds the world's season best of 13.05 seconds.
Johnson, who won four outdoor world titles and one Olympic
gold,is Liu's most difficult rival in Athens but Sun predicted Liu
has some advantages.
"Liu is young and more hungry for an upset victory in Athens,"
Sun said.
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(Xinhua News? Agency? August 10, 2004)