Beijing Olympics Athletics Mens 110M Hurdles
Originally uploaded by duidui520
This was one of the moments Olympic fans were all waiting for — Liu Xiang’s big 110-meter hurdle race on his home turf during China’s momentous event. I watched the first two heats on CCTV this morning and before it all began, a journalist talked excitedly above the Bird’s Nest in a helicopter, counting down to Liu’s first race.
His injury has left many people devastated, including me. Locals and foreigners are both saddened that China’s Olympic poster boy didn’t make it this time around. Lots of Olympic volunteers and fans were shown on TV crying. I even read that spectators in the stadium today asked for refunds since they couldn’t see Liu race.
Beijing and, of course, the rest of the country are taking this news hard. But I wonder how his hometown of Shanghai is reacting? He’s the city’s pride and joy, and it’s sure to be a heartbreaking story there.
