China's hurdles star Liu Xiang was back to training yesterday 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.
"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.
