World 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang may need psychological help to deal with the memory of his dramatic exit from the Beijing Olympics, according to China's head athletics coach.

The former world record holder was scheduled to depart for the United States on Wednesday to consult with doctors over the injury that robbed him of the chance to defend his Olympic title on home soil.

Liu, China's best hope of a gold in athletics at the Beijing Games, hobbled out of the Bird's Nest stadium after an Achilles problem left him incapable of getting into the starting blocks for his opening heat on Aug. 18.