Losing a champion: the bloggers' reaction
Updated on 18 August 2008
China has been left divided by the withdrawal of its athletics hero, Liu Xiang, from the Olympics.
The 110-metre hurdler - China's only track and field gold medallist in Athens four years ago - quit the games due to injury.
Some have called him a "coward", others say he remains a hero. Channel 4 News trawled the Chinese blogs for reaction.
What do you think about this story?
Email us your thoughts in Chinese or English at: news@channel4.com
Chinese bloggers' reaction
From blog.sina.com.cn:.jpg)
"Liu Xiang should complete the 110 metres hurdles.
'Hurdles are not my entire life' - that's what he [Liu Xiang] said in the press a day or so ago. He spoke very well. But no one thing takes over someone's life, only life itself.
I feel uneasy not because of Xiang's withdrawal or the nature of it, but I think he should of at least acknowledged the 90,000 supporters before leaving the stadium.
Of course, if it was me, I would rather complete the race, as the rules of the situation dictate, slowly if necessary, just to finish it."
From qslsj.blog.163.com:.jpg)
"Is Xiang's withdrawal a conspiracy?
Lots of people seem to be able to accept his withdrawal, yet perhaps I can't, since the majority of people seem to be harsh on losers - such as the footballers - why should we excuse an idol like Xiang?
Could it be that Xiang is afraid? The truth is he is not afraid of competing - he is afraid of losing."
From blog.163.com:.jpg)
"Today was the 18th of August 2008, as far as Chinese people are concerned, this is a very good day, the year, month and day all have an eight in them...Xiang was due compete in the 110 metres, in front of 90,000 people in the Birds' Nest.
Everyone was supporting him, for our country, to continue his amazing efforts...
If we were Xiang, what could we do in his situation? If you didn't know your own strength, would you also stop?
The problem is he has already been an Olympic champion, he prepared before the competition, he had his team and did his homework - in this situation - why would he quit unless he has to... ?"
From xy.liang.blog.163.com:.jpg)
"Liu Xiang, why?
Xiang has withdrawn from the Olympics, this is the devastating news, it made me think...the news was wrong, how can this be? He was our best chance of a medal. I really can't accept this news, including millions of others, who could have foreseen this ending!"
From a283472940.blog.163.com:.jpg)
"There is another opinion, it says: why has Xiang let China down, because he has no professional ethics, he is a coward, he should go on - he has forgotten the Olympic spirit!
My opinion: His injury meant he was unable to continue, what would be the point of him carrying on? Xiang is not a loser, he does not have to listen to what the critics are saying - he is a winner, he is not a coward."
