Think Liu Xiang Has No Pressure to Win At Home?

[EPelle]

Can give you 60-million reasons why he just might!

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sports/200 ... 438809.htm

China's 110-metre hurdling champion Liu Xiang is the country's most marketable Olympic athlete and could cash in to the tune of 60 million dollars if he wins gold in 2008, state media said Wednesday.

Chinese athletics officials expressed concern recently that the crushing embrace of fame could prove too much for Liu and derail his career.

However, Liu has since played down that talk, saying he intends to compete at a high level through the London 2012 Games.

[Quick Silver]

Liu's Pressure

Liu is in the Hong Kong press almost daily at this time of year, usually with a picture. It was his birthday last week, and we saw a lot of him on TV training in Sheffield. He's sharing the limelight with that basketball player who is trying to avoid signing with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Quick Silver
Hong Kong

[Tristan]

does the media report on when he misses an appointment with his hair stylist (as they used to do with that dude in norway)?

[EPelle]

"Officials from the State General Administration of Sports once told us if Liu could not win a gold in Beijing, all of his previous achievements would become meaningless. So we have to take everything possible into consideration to keep him in a top form," the coach said.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/9077 ... 08115.html

[AS]

"Officials from the State General Administration of Sports once told us if Liu could not win a gold in Beijing, all of his previous achievements would become meaningless. So we have to take everything possible into consideration to keep him in a top form," the coach said.

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/9077 ... 08115.html

For his sake, I hope he doesn't get injured between now and then...

[EPelle]

Is anyone else thinking Ivan Drago?

[cacique]

did you see this?


http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/ ... -Xiang.php

well, jackie chan couldn't get any insurance when he was making those crazy movie stunts...