August 18, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 15, 1429

BEIJING, Aug 17: For Liu Xiang and his 1.3billion Chinese compatriots the waiting is all but over as he puts his Olympic 110 metres hurdles title on the line when he runs his opening heat here on Monday.

Seldom could there have been more pressure and expectation placed on an athlete than there has been on Liu ever since he confirmed his class in winning the title in Athens four years ago.

The 25-year-old — who added world gold last year after two minor medals — looked a dead certainty to defend his title successfully up until Cuban Dayron Robles threw down the gauntlet this season.

While Liu has not been seen on the European circuit 21-year-old Robles — fourth behind Liu in the world final last year — has torn it up with some devastating performances.

He capped it by breaking Liu’s world record in a stunning hurdling display in Ostrava, Czech Republic, timing 12.87 seconds in June.

It would only add insult to injury were Robles, who is bidding to emulate compatriot Anier Garcia’s Games win in 2000, to take his Olympic title away from him in front of his adoring home crowd.

Liu is determined that scenario is not going to get played out and whilst he has struggled with a hamstring problem of late he has a confident air about him.

“He [Robles] is a natural born hurdler and a terrifying opponent,” said Liu. “But I still believe I can beat him, I am at that level now.”

Liu believes he has another advantage over the Cuban.

“He [Robles] is younger than me and I have had the experience of the Athens Olympics,” he said.

“The Olympics and other events are not the same. Including the final, you have four races in the Olympics and I know how to get the best out of myself during this process.”

For his part Robles can hardly believe he is even competing at the Olympics let alone considered a real contender for gold.

“Four yours ago when Liu Xiang won the Olympics in Athens, I was watching the race from home, just after running at the World Junior Championships,” said Robles, who will also have to cope with 91,000 baying Chinese spectators in the Bird’s Nest Stadium.

“And I told myself, well if I get a chance to run the Olympics in Beijing, I’m pretty sure this guy will be very, very hard to beat. I never thought I would be where I am now, in just three, four years.”

Both deny that they are feeling the pressure, which if they were to and subsequently crack might let in veteran American and two-time Olympic and world silver medallist Terrence Trammell.

“I am just living a normal life,” said Liu. “I don’t feel the pressure. I am already an Olympic champion and I feel that there is nothing difficult ahead of me and if I just relax I will come out champion again.” Robles says he fears no-one.

“I’m not afraid at all. I fear no man. I do not take on to the track any fear factor or any psychological scars. If you do you have lost already.”—AFP