China's Liu Xiang sits on the track after crashing into the first hurdle during his men's 110m hurdles round 1 heat at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium August 7, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

China’s most-watched athlete Liu Xiang suffered another painful frustration at the London Olympics when he crashed out of the heats in the 110 meter hurdles on August 7, in a dramatic echo of his injury-induced withdrawal from the same stage of the Beijing Games four years ago.

The champion hurdler hit the first hurdle with his lead leg and tumbled to the ground. He rose and hopped toward the exit before returning to hop quickly up the track next to the hurdles on his left leg, symbolically finishing the race.

When he neared the finish, he crossed back onto the track and kissed the final hurdle in his lane. Then, he was taken off the track in a wheelchair amid the pain of disappointment.

Back in 2008, he came into the Beijing Games with an injured right Achilles. He appeared but never even raced, which dealt a huge blow to his legions of Chinese fans.

With four years of medical treatment and ongoing competition, Liu Xiang had rekindled the public fervor as the country expected an exciting performance out of the former world-record holder in London.

Though Liu’s failure dampened their long-term anticipation, most of the Chinese audience, especially the savvy Weibo users, gave their consolation and understanding to the great athlete plagued by chronic illness.