Liu Xiang 刘翔
Liu Xiang, the 110-meter hurdler is a great hope for a gold medal for China at this summer's Beijing Olympics.
The 25-year-old, Shanghai-born Liu Xiang is the current Olympic and world champion as well as the current world record holder with a time of 12.88 seconds.
Liu Xiang is a hero in his homeland and the first Chinese athlete to hold the "triple crown" of Olympic and world titles and the world record time.
Liu Xiang is under tremendous pressure to repeat his 2004 Athens triumph in his homeland. Since his win in Greece four years ago, the hurdler has shot to super-stardom and needs to travel incognito to avoid his adoring fans. Liu carried the Olympic torch in Tiananmen Square and is worshipped by his fans for becoming the first Chinese athlete to win a track and field Olympic gold.
The son of a truck driver father and factory worker mother, Liu dedicated his World University Games gold medal to his dying grandmother and recently donated 70,000 USD to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake, further enhancing his image with his fans.
Liu lists his hobbies as chatting on the internet and playing pool.
© Beijing-Visitor.com
