Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang's injury not serious, coach says

 LONDON, July 13 (Xinhua) -- China's star hurdler Liu Xiang's back injury which forced him out of the London Diamond League finals is "not serious", his long-time coach Sun Haiping said here on Friday.

"Liu Xiang felt a little uncomfortable in his back after the heat round," Sun said at south London's Crystal Palace stadium. " We decided¹ to pull out of the finals just for the sake of caution. "It's the first time for the Chinese hurdler to retire during the competition after his shock withdrawal² from the Beijing Olympic Games semifinals in the Bird's Nest Stadium citing an Achilles injury.

Liu, running in his last competition here on his 29th birday, has been pinned high hopes as four years ago by Chinese fans to win a second gold medal following his victory in Athens 2004.

"I am still under a lot of pressure although I am away from home this time," he said on Thursday. "There are too much expectations from the fans."The London Grand Prix should have been a perfect chance for him to warm up for the Olympics. Besides the weather, he could race against American duo Aries Merritt and Jason Richardson, two of the biggest threats in the Olympic Games.

Liu has maintained good form this season, beating Merritt and Richardson in Shanghai and Eugene Diamond League and registering a wind-assisted 12.87 seconds in Eugene, Oregon.

He had cruised into the 110m hurdles³ final after winning his heat in 13.27 seconds but failed to take his place on the start line for the final for the injury.

Merritt defied the cool, overcast⁴ conditions to equal his own season's fastest time of 12.93 seconds. Richardson was second in 13.06 and another American Ryan Wilson third in 13.18.

Liu will remain in London to prepare for the Olympic Games. The men's 110m hurdles title will be decided on August 8 at the Olympic Stadium.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

3 hurdles   

n.障碍( hurdle的名词复数 )；跳栏；（供人或马跳跃的）栏架；跨栏赛

参考例句：

• In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed. 刚开办一个公司时，必须克服许多障碍。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• There are several hurdles to be got over in this project. 在这项工程中有一些困难要克服。 来自辞典例句

4 overcast   

adj.阴天的，阴暗的，愁闷的；v.遮盖，（使）变暗，包边缝；n.覆盖，阴天

参考例句：

• The overcast and rainy weather found out his arthritis.阴雨天使他的关节炎发作了。
• The sky is overcast with dark clouds.乌云满天。