Liu on form ahead of Olympics

Olympic champion Liu Xiang was triumphant in the 110-metre hurdles at the China Athletics Open, a test event for the Beijing Games.

Liu, the world record holder and one of China's leading hopes for victory in August, clocked 13.18 seconds at the National Stadium, nicknamed the ‘Bird's Nest’.

The 24-year-old then said he hopes the venue can inspire him to a successful defence of the gold medal he won in Athens four years ago.

‘Although it's a test event, I've been well prepared for that,’ he said.

‘I hope it becomes the second place where my dreams begin.

‘I love the noise of crowds in the stadium and even more noise at the Olympics would make me more excited.’