Off the Record_Ｓｍａｓｈｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅ　Ｒｅｃｏｒｄ

　　 　　China’s Olympic gold medalist Liu Xiang smashed the 110-meter hurdles world record on July 12, setting a time of 12.88 seconds, 0.03 seconds faster than the previous mark, which had been shared by Liu and British sprinter Colin Jackson.
　　The record was set at the super grand prix meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland, which Liu believes is a “lucky place.” It was also in a grand prix meeting in Lausanne in 2002 that Liu had his first victory, where he broke Renaldo Nehemiah’s world junior record, which had been held for 24 years.
　　Liu noted that ever since the Olympic finals in Athens in 2004, he knew that he could do better, as did his coach, Sun Haiping. Sun attributed Liu’s success to an integrated set of reasons: the agreeable weather in Lausanne, the sound racing conditions and atmosphere, and the satisfactory accommodations and food provided by the organizing committee. More importantly, American sprinter Dominique Arnold, who reached the finish line right after Liu, was a great stimulant for Liu, Sun said, adding that the stronger his rivals are, the better Liu performs.
　　This victory was considered the most meaningful gift for Liu’s 23rd birthday, which came two days after the record was set.
　　“The outstanding achievement made by Liu Xiang has earned great honor for his motherland and all Chinese. It is also an enormous encouragement to all Chinese athletes who are preparing for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.”
　　
　　Congratulatory message from the Chinese Olympic Committee
　　
　　“The honor of being an Olympic champion and breaking the world record may have a negative impact on Liu Xiang. If all people believe that he must win the 2008 Olympic 110-meter hurdles, or that he will be the champion in the next Olympic Games, Liu Xiang will be under heavy pressure.”
　　
　　Feng Shuyong, official at China’s General Administration of Sport
　　
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