File photo of Liu Xiang. (Photo: China News Service/ Tang Yanjun)
(ECNS) – A retirement ceremony will be held for Olympic gold medal hurdler Liu Xiang after the Shanghai Diamond League on May 17, an event organized by the Athletics Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China.
Liu, a former world record holder, announced his decision to retire on April 7 via Sina Weibo, an announcement that surprised the public.
Liu became China's first male Olympic champion in athletics when he won the 110m hurdles at the 2004 Games in Athens, Greece. Three years later, he won a world championship gold in Osaka, Japan.
The Shanghai Diamond League (known as the Golden League prior to 2010) has a particular affinity for Liu, whose hometown is Shanghai.
Since his debut in the event in 2005, he has won four golds, one silver and two bronzes from a total of seven appearances, attracting much positive publicity.
