A strong wind cost China’s Liu Xiang a share of the 110 metres hurdles world record at the Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting yesterday.
The 2004 Athens Olympic champion won the race in 12.87 seconds in an eye-popping performance in the lead-up to the London Olympics.
The time equalled Cuban Dayron Robles’ 2008 mark but did not count as a joint record because he was assisted by a gust measuring 2.4 metres per second, just above the allowable limit of 2.0.
Liu’s fastest official time remains 12.88, set in 2006, and which stood as the world record for two years.
United States’ world indoor champion Aries Merritt finished second in 12.96 with world outdoor champion Jason Richardson third in 13.11.
Here, Xiang (left) clearing a hurdle on his way to victory ahead of Richardson (centre) and Merritt. (AP Picture)
