China's Liu Xiang falls at the first hurdle during the 110-meter hurdles heat at the Olympic Stadium Tuesday. — AP (R) Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi celebrates as he wins the men's 1,500m final at the London 2012 Olympic Games Tuesday. — Reuters
LONDON – Former champion Liu Xiang left the Olympics Games in the first heat of the 110-meter hurdles for the second time in a row, clutching the same right Achilles tendon that had already doomed his chances at the Beijing Games. It left one of the signature races of the Games without one of its main characters – a challenge by Liu of defending champion Dayron Robles and US-hurdler Aries Merritt which was to be one of the highlights of the Olympics. The biggest duel – between 100 champion Usain Bolt and training partner Yohan Blake – continued apace, with both cruising into Wednesday's semifinal of the 200, where Bolt is seeking his second Olympic sprint double. But Liu's hopes for a second gold are over – for at least another four years. Chinese team leader Feng Shuyong said the initial diagnosis was that Liu suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon. “The injury should be quite serious,” he said. Liu won in 2004 at Athens to become the first Chinese athlete to claim an Olympic track and field gold medal, but shocked the home crowd in Beijing four years later when he had to withdraw in his heat without clearing a hurdle because of a right foot problem which later required surgery. Liu had his right Achilles protected with yellow tape when he came into the stadium. While other runners flew over hurdles for practice, he jogged up to the first hurdle and raised his eyebrows. He produced a wan smile when the stadium speakers announced his name to the cheering. He was talking to himself as he started to settle in the blocks. Then from the starting gun, it all went wrong for one of the biggest stars in the sport. With his lead leg, he crashed into the first hurdle and tumbled over. He looked up and held his right leg, realizing history has just repeated itself. Instead of being wheeled off, he hopped on one leg along the track, going over to kiss the last hurdle in his lane 4. Algeria's Taoufik Makhloufi won the 1,500-meter gold at night, only a day after being reinstated to the final. Makhloufi was disqualified from the games after track and field officials ruled he didn't try hard enough during a heat in the 800. He had already qualified for the 1,500 final at that stage. But the disqualification was overturned after a medical officer reviewed the evidence, and Makhloufi made his second chance count, winning the 1,500 title in 3 minutes, 34.08 seconds. Leonel Manzano of the United States took silver in 3:47.79 and Abdalaati Iguider of Morocco earned silver in 3:35.13. Sally Pearson earned Australia its fourth gold medal by edging defending champion Dawn Harper of the United States to win the 100-meter hurdles in an Olympic record 12.35 seconds. Under a steady rain, Pearson barely crossed the line ahead of Harper, who was clocked in 12.37. The US also took the bronze, with Kellie Wells finishing in 12.48. Lolo Jones, the favorite four years ago who fell at the ninth of 10 hurdles, was fourth Tuesday in 12.58. Robert Harting of Germany added the Olympic discus title to his two world championship golds, beating Ehsan Hadadi of Iran into silver. Defending champion Gerd Kanter of Estonia took bronze. Kanter, who ripped off his shirt in celebration, threw 68.27 meters, Hadadi finished with a throw of 68.18 and Kanter 68.03. Ivan Ukhov of Russia won the high jump in cold conditions and a light drizzle. Ukhov, who earned a “strong warning” from the IAAF for being drunk during a competition in 2008, cleared 2.38 meters on his first attempt. Erik Kynard of the US took silver at 2.33 meters. Three men were tied for bronze: Essa Mutaz Barshim of Qatar, Robert Grabaarz of Britain and Derek Drouin of Canada. Merritt was the top qualifier for Wednesday's semifinals with 13.07. Cuban world-record holder Robles and world champion Jason Richardson of the United States also won their heat. The 200 had far less drama, even with Bolt back at his showboating best. All business during his heats of the 100 before he won the biggest race of the games ahead of Blake, he was now happily showing off his “To the World” signature move even before he got into the blocks, and chatted with a volunteer taking care of his gear before giving him his cap. He almost jogged home for the easiest of victories. Blake was just as impressive in his race, though much more understated. France's Christopher Lemaitre also advanced with a victory. If Bolt is going for a sprint double, Tirunesh Dibaba of Ethiopia is seeking a long-distance one and the women's 10,000 champion easily qualified with the top time in the 5,000. The top six qualifiers in the 5,000 all came from Ethiopia and Kenya, assuring that the East African rivalry will continue through Friday's final. — AP
