Liu cruises on Bird's Nest track, Sun fails to start

By Nick Mulvenney

BEIJING (Reuters) - Liu Xiang was on cruise control but still managed an emphatic win on Thursday in his first outing on the track where he hopes to retain his Olympic title and fulfil the dream of millions of Chinese in August.

The 24-year-old was the main attraction on the opening day of the China Open test event at the Bird's Nest National Stadium and he did not disappoint the 22,000 spectators with victory in the fourth heat of the 110 metres hurdles in 13.63 seconds.

The world champion never looked like coming anywhere near his world record of 12.88 seconds but was satisfied with the fastest time of the day as he started his third competition of the year after the world indoors and the Osaka Grand Prix.

"Though it's a test event, I took it seriously," Liu told reporters. "This venue is up to international standards. The track was okay for me, not too soft, not too hard."

With the death toll from last week's Sichuan earthquake already having reached 51,000 and still rising, events in the southwestern province were still very much in focus even if three days of national mourning ended at midnight on Wednesday.

"The disaster has passed but I'm still really concerned about it, as is my coach," said Liu, who has already donated 500,000 yuan ($72,010) to the relief funds.

"What we've done is really small and if they need any more help I would like to continue helping them. I hope they can get back on their feet again."

Cheers for the Sichuan athletes were surpassed only by those that greeted Liu's arrival on the track. Despite the encouragement, He Xin finished last in her women's 100 metres heat.