Liu's parents feel the stress as Games set to open

Source: Xinhua  |   2008-8-8  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

LIU Xiang's parents are trying to ease the tension while carefully counting down the days to the men's 110 meters hurdles final on August 21.

The couple are under as much pressure as their son, who is China's best hope of an athletics gold.

"We try not to think about all the 'what ifs,'" said Liu Xiang's father Liu Xuegen as the couple packed their luggage and prepared to take a train to Beijing yesterday. "We hope he will do his best."

Liu Xuegen and his wife Ji Fenhua will attend the opening ceremony today and then watch their son in action when the track and field events get going on the following days.

"We feel like all other anxious parents ahead of their child's major test ?? of course we hope he will get good scores," the senior Liu said.

Hoping that Liu Xiang grabs good scores, friends and relatives have kept calling on the couple in the last few days with regards and loads of advice.

"We understand how they feel, but frankly speaking, we're not in the mood to listen, nor will we have the chance to meet Liu Xiang anytime soon," said Liu Xuegen.

The 25-year-old gold medal hopeful is facing a lot more pressure and difficulties than what many people think. While world record holder Dayron Robles from Cuba appears to be in full swing, Liu Xiang is still gearing up for the Games.

Some of Liu Xiang's fans have mentally prepared about a possible loss and are discussing "what if he really failed" on the Internet. An online poll shows 70 percent of the fans would calmly face his loss.

Ji said she is worried that her son's leg cramps might reoccur if he trains too hard.

She talks with her son on the phone almost every day, reminding him to be extra careful not to catch a cold or diarrhea while carefully avoiding any talks about his training.