A pull, and world's two fastest men cry
Updated:2011-08-30 14:14
(chinadaily.com.cn)
It was a hand-to-hand battle between the two fastest men ever in history on the 110m hurdles track - literally.
Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles was stripped of gold and glory on Monday in a twist every bit as dramatic as Usain Bolt's disqualification from the blue riband 100 metres sprint the night before.
What happened?
* After the starting gun fire, everything was on the right track. Robles and Liu, were almost running neck to neck in the first eight hurdles and took the lead.
* But in the ninth hurdle, the race went awry.
* Robles' right trailing hand was seen hitting on Liu's left hand. As a result, Liu's rhythm was disturbed and his blistering pace slowed down. Right before the tenth and final sprint, Robles made further hand contact with Liu, who lost balance and tripped on the last hurdle.
* Liu, as a result, faded into the third after clearing the last hurdle and tumbled but managed to the finishing line.
The Chinese team lodged an appeal to the Daegu worlds organizers. Eventually, Robles was disqualified of his mark and the title for obstructing rival.
According to the IAAF rule of 163.2, any competing athlete who jostles or obstructs another athlete, so as to impede his progress, shall be liable to disqualification from that event.
What did hurdlers involved say?
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About the obstruction "Robles hit me twice. When I approached the ninth hurdle he pulled me, which made me unbalanced and slowed me down, but it wasn't intentional." "At first, I thought I would be the champion or at least second, but Robles pulled me. If there was no accident, I think I could have won." "I am OK with everything that happened today and this is a legacy to me. Robles prepared well. I tried my best (and got) no regret." Regretful to Robles "I am good friends with Robles. What I like is a happy camp - I don't know what to say." "The competition is just a game to me. Everybody should enjoy it. The disqualification is very regretful." |
 Liu Xiang, 28 Comeback silver medalist Finishing third in 13.27 2007 World Championships winner, 2004 Olympic gold medalist and former world record holder |
OK with the result "It happens all the time in the competitions. I am OK with everything that happened today and this is a legacy to me. I tried my best (and got) no regret." "I'm satisfied with the performance and there is only little regret in the race."
Don't care about color "I have won the gold medals at the World Championships and the Olympic Games, and medals of all colors. My aim this time was to win a medal, and I achieved it." "I am still not in my best shape. There is still room to improve. I hope I can run within 13.00 next year, and I have full confidence about that.I think I can win a gold medal in London (Olympic Games)." |
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Sorry to Liu "I didn't like my technique today. I was entangled with Liu Xiang at the last hurdle." |
 Dayron Robles, 25 Beijing Olympics winner and current world record holder |
 Comeback gold medalist Finishing second in 13.16 US promising star and the 110m and 400m hurdles champion at the 2003 world junior championships |
Thankful and confident "I wish that under different circumstances he (Liu Xiang) could keep the medal but rules are rules. Anything can happen in track and field if you just do your best and stay in your lane." |
Grown-up Liu Xiang
Reaction to the dramatic race
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Cui Yongyuan Hardships of injury have remolded a mature and grown-up Liu Xiang. He can win a medal even hand-in-hand with Robles.
Han Qiaosheng Bronze turning to silver doesn't mean much to Liu Xiang, but next year's London will be the real showdown. Come on, Liu Xiang! BTW, my personal advice is to broaden the distance between each hurdle, or it's easy to bump into others while racing. |
Sun Haiping Not a simple hit "If it was an arm hit, then it would be a natural thing in the race, but it is very clear that he grabbed Liu's arm after the hit, which is abnormal." "Liu would have won, since he was in the leading position after the last one." Focus on the London Olympics "We will try to improve his ability in the first half of the race in order to avoid any disturbance in the future." |
Allen Johnson
Great, great race "That's hurdling, it happens all the time, It just so happens that this time it happened to the two fastest hurdlers ever at the world championship."
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Sun Zhengping Liu Xiang lost the gold medal but (we can see) he is recovering to his best form. Blessing! Back you up, Liu Xiang. Next year's London Games will be yours!
Zhang Quanling Sporting games are regulated, therefore Robles pulls Liu Xiang and he lost a gold medal. |
Since Robles apologised, let them meet in London.