Liu Xiang Surgery a Success

Liu Xiang, the Chinese Gold-Medal hurdler who had to withdraw from the competition in Beijing due to an injured Achilles tendon had surgery to repair the injury last week and the procedure has been declared a success. Dr. Tom Clanton (above center), who operated on Houston Rockets centre Yao Ming’s injured foot earlier this year, led the surgery team. The operation started at 930pm Beijing Time on Friday, December 5 and lasted about two hours and fifty minutes at the Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Centre in Houston. According to Clanton, all indications are that Liu will fully recover. He will need four months in the United States post-surgery and about six months to return to the track.

Liu won the Gold Medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2004 Games in Athens.

^{(photo © Newscom)}