Published on ShanghaiDaily.com (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/)
http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sp/article/2008/200811/20081119/article_381218.htm
Liu coach admits bribe story was a lie
Created: 2008-11-19 14:38:59
Author:Yang Lifei
THE first coach of Liu Xiang admitted he made up the story of foreign journalists offering him 100,000 euros (US$126,440) in exchange for admitting the star hurdler had used performance-enhancing drugs.
Gu Baogang admitted he fabricated the story and has since apologized to Liu’s family and the public, according to Youth Daily.
Beijing-based The First yesterday published a story in which Gu claimed seven foreign journalists offered him an interview fee of 100,000 euros in exchange for admitting that Liu was on dope. He claimed the interview took place sometime in 2007.
``I like bragging,” Gu told Youth Daily. “That day I casually invented the story as I never thought the reporter would publish it.’’
Gu’s friends said he has a habit of telling lies and they even call him by the nickname ``Liar Gu,’’ the report added.
In Gu’s invented story he rejected an offer by a group of journalists when he was training some of his athletes at Yichuan Middle School in Shanghai’s Putuo District. He denied Shanghai native Liu had ever used drugs even though the journalists took out a check for 100,000 euros, according to the report by The First.
The story received a lot attention from society after it was released. Gu was called a hero for ending suspicion by foreign media. Some people questioned whether Liu had ever taken dope while others criticized the foreign journalists for displaying a lack of professional ethics.
Meanwhile, the local sports authority and foreign affairs office, both mentioned in Gu’s lie, investigated the claim as the interview between the coach and the foreign journalists never took place, the newspaper said.
After receiving numerous calls about the issue, Gu realized the situation was serious.
``I did not expect it to be such a big deal,” Gu told Youth Daily. “I would like to apologize to society through the media.’’
Liu’s family said they had accepted Gu’s apology and sent the apology to Liu and his coach Sun Haiping, according to the report.
``The most important thing for us at present is help Liu recover fully from his injury and return to competition,’’ Sun told the newspaper while declining to comment on Gu.
Liu is scheduled to have surgery on his Achilles heel injury in Los Angeles in about two weeks, the report added.
Liu won a gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also broke the world record in the event in 2006 although it has since been beaten by Cuba’s Dayron Robles.
Gu Baogang admitted he fabricated the story and has since apologized to Liu’s family and the public, according to Youth Daily.
Beijing-based The First yesterday published a story in which Gu claimed seven foreign journalists offered him an interview fee of 100,000 euros in exchange for admitting that Liu was on dope. He claimed the interview took place sometime in 2007.
``I like bragging,” Gu told Youth Daily. “That day I casually invented the story as I never thought the reporter would publish it.’’
Gu’s friends said he has a habit of telling lies and they even call him by the nickname ``Liar Gu,’’ the report added.
In Gu’s invented story he rejected an offer by a group of journalists when he was training some of his athletes at Yichuan Middle School in Shanghai’s Putuo District. He denied Shanghai native Liu had ever used drugs even though the journalists took out a check for 100,000 euros, according to the report by The First.
The story received a lot attention from society after it was released. Gu was called a hero for ending suspicion by foreign media. Some people questioned whether Liu had ever taken dope while others criticized the foreign journalists for displaying a lack of professional ethics.
Meanwhile, the local sports authority and foreign affairs office, both mentioned in Gu’s lie, investigated the claim as the interview between the coach and the foreign journalists never took place, the newspaper said.
After receiving numerous calls about the issue, Gu realized the situation was serious.
``I did not expect it to be such a big deal,” Gu told Youth Daily. “I would like to apologize to society through the media.’’
Liu’s family said they had accepted Gu’s apology and sent the apology to Liu and his coach Sun Haiping, according to the report.
``The most important thing for us at present is help Liu recover fully from his injury and return to competition,’’ Sun told the newspaper while declining to comment on Gu.
Liu is scheduled to have surgery on his Achilles heel injury in Los Angeles in about two weeks, the report added.
Liu won a gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also broke the world record in the event in 2006 although it has since been beaten by Cuba’s Dayron Robles.
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