LIU XIANG FOCUSING ON HIMSELF IN EAGERLY AWAITED OLYMPIC GAMES CONFRONTATION – By David Martin

Former champion Liu Xiang believes his own self assurance and belief will be the inspiration that enables him to regain the Olympic Games 110 metres hurdles title he lost on home soil in Beijing four years ago.
 
The Chinese star the first ever male athlete from the Asian nation top win a global title at the 2004 Games in Athens where he equalled the world record, is now fully recovered from the succession of injuries which have stalled his career in recent years.
 
Liu having now regained vibrancy and personal confidence to regain his dominance is determined to recapture the world's most precious high hurdles gold medal in London this summer.
 
That will see the 28-year-old whose rivalry particularly with Cuba's Dayron Robles could see their match up one of the highlights at this year's Olympics, remain totally self centred on the task ahead.  
 
"My opponents all have a shot at the gold in the London Olympics, but I never look at them as my threat," Liu said in the China Daily on Wednesday.
 
"I will learn my lesson from each of the events I've competed and try to get better and better, so I think the biggest opponent will be myself."
 
The former world record holder, added: "My opponents all have what it takes to win a title, but I have my own edge in the sport. It depends on your final performance to win a title."
 
Liu who earlier this month took the silver medal at the IAAF World Indoor Championships, added: "The indoor events are a good experience for me. I've just started my outdoor training recently.
 
"I think my first outdoor event will be in Japan in May, followed by the IAAF Diamond League Shanghai. And after that I will attend some events in Europe and the US."

David Martin