Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang has arrived at a renowned private hospital in London to receive surgery on his torn right Achilles tendon.

Liu Xiang underwent an operation by a specialist on sports injuries, Nick Cullen, at around 2 p.m. local time in Wellington Hospital.

The 29-year-old Liu crashed into the first hurdle in his heat on Tuesday, and fell to the ground. It ended his hope of restoring Olympic glory.

Instead of being wheeled off, Liu hopped on one leg along the track, going over to kiss the last hurdle in his lane 4. He reached his career peak at the 2004 Olympics in Athens, when he became the first Chinese athlete to win an Olympic track gold.

(CNTV.cn August 9, 2012)