Liu Xiang Retires, Chinese Netizens Divided on His Legacy

Liu Xiang, world renowned 110 meter hurdler and Olympic gold medalist, announced his retirement on Chinese microblogging platform Sina Weibo with a 2,000-word article, ‘My track, my hurdle’. The news caused a sensation in China. While his newlywed wife posted words of encouragement and Nike, his biggest sponsor for 13 years, made a series of ads speaking highly of his athletic spirit, Chinese netizens seemed divided between those who hailed him as a national hero wishing him all the best and those who still resented his withdrawal from the 2008 Olympics and his stumble at the 2012 Olympics.