China's former Olympic champion Liu announces divorce

China's hurdler Liu Xiang attends as a delegate at a session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) of the Shanghai Municipal Committee, in Shanghai January 18, 2014. REUTERS/Aly Song

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chin's former Olympic hurdles champion Liu Xiang has divorced from his actress wife Ge Tian, he said on Thursday, ending the short marriage just months after announcing his retirement from track and field.

Liu, 31, became an icon in China after he won the country's first Olympic men's track and field gold medal in the 110 metres hurdles in Athens in 2004. He became world champion in 2007 and held the world record in 2006 with a time of 12.88 seconds.