Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping telegraphed the General Administration of Sport yesterday to express concern and sympathy for track star Liu Xiang, who pulled out of the men's 110-meter hurdles in a first-round heat with a foot injury at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Chinese state leaders were very concerned with the Shanghai native's injury, and hoped the gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics would get timely treatment and recover soon, said Xi, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He expressed warm regards and encouragement to Liu and his coach Sun Haiping in the telegraph, which he sent soon after learning the news of Liu's withdrawal at the National Stadium.

"We all understand that Liu quit the race due to injury," Xi said. "We hope he will relax and focus on recovery. We hope that after he recovers, he will continue to train hard and struggle harder for the national glory."

Liu and his coach were greatly moved when they learnt the content of the telegraph from the top officials of the General Administration of Sport. They thanked the state leaders for their concern and encouragement.

The 25-year-old, one of the biggest sporting stars in the country, said he would actively cooperate with the doctors and try to return for future events as soon as possible.