(ECNS) -- Chinese Olympic champion Liu Xiang on Wednesday publicly sought advice on whether to take up a coaching position or accept a one-time settlement offered by Shanghai sports authorities.
Liu won gold in the men's 110-meter hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics in 12.91 seconds, equaling the then-world record. He became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic gold medal in track and field.
Born in 1983, the 43-year-old former hurdler wrote on Chinese social media platform Weibo, "I've run into a difficult problem and hope everyone can give me some advice. The sports bureau is asking me to either take a buyout or work as a coach. What should I do?"
In a follow-up post shortly before midnight on Wednesday, Liu said he had remained within the sports system for the past 10 years, adding that he had not left because he had not been permitted to do so.
Liu said he was not opposed to becoming a coach, but questioned whether it would be appropriate to take on the role at his age without any coaching experience, saying the situation had left him uncertain about what to do.
He also said he was unfamiliar with the idea of a "buyout" and that being given only two options had prompted him to seek advice from the public.
In response, the Shanghai Sports Bureau said on Wednesday night that it and the Shanghai Competitive Sports Training and Management Center would maintain communication with Liu and properly handle arrangements related to his retirement.
(By Zhang Dongfang)
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