>   OLYMPICS: AUG 19 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's Track and Field   >   450_c4300089959_beijing_olympics_summer.jpg

Aug 19, 2008 - Shanghai, China - China's leaders have thrown their support behind Liu Xiang, the Olympic 110m hurdles gold medalist who stunned the nation with his abrupt departure from the Beijing Olympics, urging him to overcome injury and return to glory. Liu was the nations best hope of an athletics gold medal at the Beijing Olympics and his pained withdrawal from the 110m hurdles on Monday was a huge blow in a country where his image hangs on countless billboards. In a sign of the national prestige invested in the hurdler, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping sent Liu a get well message. The Communist Party's leadership had been very concerned about Liu Xiang's injury, and hopes he will receive swift treatment and soon heal. In response, Liu vowed to seek an early return to competition. PICTURED: Chinese passengers walk past an advertisement of Yili milk with the image of Liu Xiang at a subway station in Beijing, August 18, 2008