Liu Xiang is helped off the track after being injured in the 110m hurdles heats at the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug 7, 2012. [Photo/CFP]

Liu Xiang's injuries:

April 2004

Injury: Cold

Effect: Withdrew from the Guilin Grand Prix

Feb 15, 2006

Injury: Sprained left ankle

Effect: Withdrew from the National Indoor Championships; absent from training for months

June 2008

Injury: Sore muscles on right leg

Effect: Withdrew from Grand Prix in New York; added effect, impaired training for 2008 Olympics

August 2008

Injury: Right Achilles tendon injury

Effect: Withdrew from 2008 Beijing Olympics preliminaries

December 6, 2009

Injury: Surgery

Effect: A long recovery from a right Achilles tendon injury drew questions and speculations whether he could return to his peak

July 2010

Injury: Achilles tendon inflammation

Effect: Withdrew from the IAAF World Cup in Athletics in Croatia

August 2011

Injury: Waist muscle cramp

Effect: None

July 2012

Injury: Aches in rib area

Effect: Withdrew from the IAAF Diamond League London meet

August 2012

Injury: Achilles tendon injury

Effect: Withdrew from a heat of the 2012 London Olympics