Liu achievements "meaningless" if no gold

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese sport officials have warned that world champion hurdler Liu Xiang's achievements will be rendered "meaningless" if he fails to win Olympic gold in Beijing next year, according to the athlete's coach.

"Officials from the State General Administration of Sports once told us if Liu could not win a gold in Beijing, all of his previous achievements would become meaningless," Friday's China Daily quoted Sun Haiping as saying.

"So we have to take everything possible into consideration to keep him in top form."

World record-holder Liu won gold in the 110m hurdles in Athens in 2004 and this year became China's first male track world champion in Osaka, Japan.

Liu, who remains China's best hope of track gold on home soil next year, said he felt the pressure of expectations.

"Much of the time, people don't just want me to win a medal, but to get gold. This kind of pressure is indeed very heavy," the 24-year-old told the Beijing News in a separate report.

"After all, there are currently many outstanding athletes in the 110m hurdles. Any of them could be number one."

Since clocking 12.88 to set the world record in June 2006, Liu has gone from strength to strength, winning nine titles in his last 12 meetings.

GENUINE THREAT