Sporting Life - Summer Olympics - Beijing 2008

China's fallen hero Liu Xiang has apologised to his adoring public for pulling out of the 110m hurdles, saying the pain was just too much for him to carry on.

Liu had carried the hopes of the huge nation on his shoulders as he looked to defend his 110m hurdles title in front of his home fans in Beijing.

However, the world record holder was struggling with a foot injury, but still made it onto the track and tried to give it a go in his opening heat.

A false start was the last thing he needed though and after pulling up obviously in pain Liu conceded defeat and left the track at the Bird's Nest as the entire stadium seemed to gasp in horror.

Chinese officials had not been shy in piling on the pressure before the Games, saying that all Liu's previous achievements would be rendered worthless if he did not give the hosts a track gold.

Pain

The pain proved too much though, and Liu told the state-run press that he just could not carry on due to the pain of his injury.

"I just feel so sorry. Because there were so many people supporting me, I told myself I had to run, but I just couldn't do it," Liu said.

In an interview with Chinese state television, Liu said the pain was simply too much for him to continue and he would have risked his career if he carried on.

"It was unbearable," he added. "If I had finished the race, I would have risked my tendon. I could not describe my feeling at that moment.

"I never quit easily. I am not that type of person."

25-year-old Liu has insisted that he will be back on the track after he recovers from his injury - promising he will bounce back from such a huge setback.

"I think there will be a day when I will be better, I think now the main thing is to quicken the recovery process, to make the Achilles tendon better," he said.

"There will be more opportunities next year, there will be more opportunities later. I must be optimistic, I can't complain about destiny.

"I'm one that can't accept failure easily, I will rise up, it's in my character."

Support

Liu became the first Chinese man to win an athletics gold with his victory in Athens and he has been worshiped by the 1.3 billion population of his homeland ever since.

The Chinese people had been counting on Liu to again win a showcase gold in their home Olympics to cap a memorable Games, but their disappointment has not turned to anger.

The press has opted to back Liu and has insisted that the athlete had no choice but to pull out.

"To withdraw from a race is not to give up... Liu Xiang had no choice and this was a moment of great courage," the Beijing News, amongst others said.

"For us spectators, if we respect the human spirit, then we absolutely must understand Liu's decision."