Former world champion Liu Xiang set to retire

Liu Xiang celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the men's 110 hurdles final at the 2004 Olympic Games in this Aug 27, 2004 file photo. [Photo/IC]

Liu Xiang, China's most decorated track and field athlete, may officially announce his retirement through social media next week, reported Friday's Titan sports, China's highest-circulation sports newspaper.

Instead of having a press conference, the 31-year-old hurdling star will supposedly make his decision known in a low-key way by making an announcement on his Twitter-like Weibo account on April 7 or April 9. His retirement is inevitable while the exact date remains in final negotiation, the Changsha-based sports weekly wrote.

Rumors of Liu's retirement have been reported periodically since he fell down at 2012 London Olympic Games 110-meter hurdles' preliminary contest, which was the last match he ever attended.

The 2004 Athens Games 110-meter hurdles gold medalist has endured a long recovery from a right Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him from racing in London and made him withdraw from the 2008 Beijing Games. He hasn't returned to the track for two-and-a-half years.

Liu made his latest public appearance when he attended a promotion event for 2015 World Championships to be held in August at the Beijing National Stadium in the capital.

Asked whether he could race at the world championships 200-day countdown ceremony for the Beijing tournament, Liu responded that the chances are slim.

"I think the possibility is pretty slim. I might be able to take part in the event in another role (not as an athlete)," he said.