GUANGZHOU, South China, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- Despite an impressive time of 13.09 seconds in his comeback race and an Asian Games treble, former Olympic champion Liu Xiang still faces a daunting task to win back the fans he lost in the 2008 Olympic Games.
The 2004 Olympic winner attracted a capacity crowd in the Guangdong Olympic Center stadium and millions of TV audience Wednesday night when he stormed to a new Asian record in the men's 110m hurdles as well as his third straight Asian Games gold.
His comeback drew loads of praises from both Chinese media and fans.
"The Asian Games 110m hurdles final witnessed the comeback of a king, whose name is Liu Xiang," exclaimed Xinmin Evening News, a newspaper based in Shanghai where the hurdler was born.
"Liu Xiang made a big step forward after 27 months of accumulation of energy," said China News Agency. "Guangzhou is the place for Liu to take off again."
Applauded as he is, Liu has yet to win back all his fans since his stunning withdrawal from the first round in the Beijing Olympic Games disheartened the whole nation.
"Even if you won this race in a clocking of one second, you are no longer my hero. Perhaps you should have finished the Beijing Olympic race no matter what would happen," an Internet user named "Gone with the Wind" commented on Liu's victory here in a forum of Chinese portal Sina.
"Gone with the Wind" was perhaps one of the many tearful fans who are still smart from the deep disappointment and hurt feelings after their high hopes on Liu Xiang went into nothing - without any warning.
