China's hurdles star Liu Xiang was back to training Wednesday after an aggravated Achilles tendon injury forced him to dramatically pull out of last month's Olympics.
The 25-year-old Chinese did some physical exercises and slow run during a training session at his base in the Shanghai suburb of Xinzhuang.
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Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang takes part in a training session in Shanghai, Sept. 23, 2008. This is Liu's first public training after he pulled out of the men's 110 meters hurdles because of injuries in Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 18, 2008. [Xinhua] |
"I'm recovering but I couldn't run fast now," said Liu, touted as an icon of China's sport since he won the men's 110m hurdles in the Athens Olympics four years ago.
"I don't want to hasten to return to action," he added.
No final decision has been made on the treatment plan, and Liu is scheduled to be monitored separately by doctors in Beijing and the United States next month.
Liu's coach Sun Haiping said he was inclined for conservative treatment on Liu as an operation might cause everlasting impairment to tendon.
"I am confident that Liu will recover 90 percent if he receives conservative treatment," said Sun.
Sun added that if everything goes well, Liu could return to competition in June next year.
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Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang stretches in a training session in Shanghai, Sept. 23, 2008. This is Liu's first public training after he pulled out of the men's 110 meters hurdles because of injuries in Beijing Olympic Games on Aug. 18, 2008. [Xinhua] |
(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2008)