Departing Liu brings Shanghai faithful to tears

Liu Xiang attends his retirement ceremony in Shanghai May 17, 2015. China offered an emotional farewell to its newly-retired sports hero Liu, the 2004 Olympic sprint hurdles champion, at the Diamond League meeting on Sunday. REUTERS/Aly Song

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Liu Xiang reduced his fans to tears in his home Shanghai Stadium on Sunday as China’s finest athlete was given a fittingly heartfelt send-off at the conclusion of one of the sport’s most pioneering careers.

Liu’s lips seemed to wobble with emotion at a ceremony to mark his achievements at the end of the Diamond League meeting.