HChinese icon Liu Xiang suffered fresh Olympic Games heartbreak today when he crashed out of the 110m hurdles while double 100m champion Usain Bolt cruised casually through his 200m heat.
Former Olympic champion and world record holder Liu, 29, had been left distraught in 2008 when he was forced to withdraw just moments before his opening heat in front of his home fans at the Beijing Games.
His return to the Olympic arena lasted just a split second when he ploughed into the first hurdle with his left leading leg and crashed heavily to the track.
Liu, who has been troubled by back and foot problems, eventually got up and hopped down the track to be embraced by his fellow competitors, winning warm applause from the stadium packed with 80,000 stunned spectators.
He was helped off the track by Britain’s Andy Turner and Spain’s Jackson Quinonez before being taken to the Olympic Stadium medical centre in a wheelchair.
Bolt, fresh from running the second-fastest time in history to retain his 100m title on Sunday, began his bid to keep his 200m title by winning his heat in 20.39sec.
“That was an easy run. I am enjoying it,” said the Jamaican star.
“This is my favourite event so I am looking forward to it. It’s getting pretty chilly. They say it should be good on Thursday for the final. We’ll see. I have heard that before.”
World 100m champion, and Bolt’s compatriot, Yohan Blake also made it through to the next round
Later today, Australian world champion Sally Pearson is favourite for the women’s 100m hurdles gold.
Pearson has emerged as the dominant force in women’s short hurdles, racing the fourth fastest time ever (12.28sec) in winning world gold last summer.
Five-time Olympic champion Chris Hoy kept his bid for a history-making keirin cycling gold on track as he surged into the second round.
If successful later today, Hoy could overtake Steve Redgrave’s haul of five golds to become the first Briton to own six Olympic golds.
Britain will also be eyeing more cycling gold later through Laura Trott and Victoria Pendleton.
The men’s football finalists will be decided when Mexico tackle Japan and South Korea meet Brazil.