While he rarely disappoints outdoors, where the race is 110 meters instead of 60, Liu might lack a bit of explosiveness to set an indoor hall alight.

He won bronze in 2003, silver in 2004 and did not compete in Moscow two years ago.

"The big job for me is to improve my first three hurdles," he said. That is where indoor titles are won and lost, and it is where Robles excels.

Yet little phases Liu, as he keeps his focus on that one August night in the Bird's Nest. "I am better outdoor than indoor. Here my goal is to do better," he said.

Liu's has a personal best of 7.42 seconds that he set in Karlsruhe, Germany last year. In comparison, Robles ran the second-fastest time in history last month - 7.33, just .03 seconds outside the world record of Britain's Colin Jackson.

Robles, the silver medalist in Moscow, is also trying to lower expectations, especially since he faces Liu.

"It would not be a disappointment if I don't win because I am running against the best," he said.

While the Chinese basketball team is not expected to win the gold, Houston Rockets' star Yao's foot injury has saddened millions of Chinese, including Liu.

"We are good friends and we are both from Shanghai and I feel very sorry for him that he got injured just before the games," he said.

"I hope it will not impact on his Olympics. I send my best wishes for a quick recovery."

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