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Liu Xiang
Tim Layden
July 28, 2008
In 2004 he became the only male track gold medalist in Chinese history. Now he merely has to live up to the expectations of 1.3 billion countrymen by defending his title on his home turf
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July 28, 2008

Liu Xiang

In 2004 he became the only male track gold medalist in Chinese history. Now he merely has to live up to the expectations of 1.3 billion countrymen by defending his title on his home turf

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"It's almost unfair," says Li.

On a spring afternoon in New York, Liu Xiang scuffs at the sidewalk in clunky, skateboarder Nikes. "I try not to let the environment change my life," he says of all the pressure. "I try to change the environment." He changes it only by winning, because only winning will satisfy.

More track and field coverage leading up to the Games from Tim Layden at SI.com/Olympics.

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