Liu Xiang, Athens Olympics 110 meter hurdle gold medallist, was awarded the title of "Shanghai Meritorious Athlete" Thursday by Shanghai Sports Administration for breaking the record of 110m hurdle in a race in Lausanne last month.

Liu's coach Sun Haiping got the honor of "Shanghai Meritorious coach", and both of them would receive a prize of 100,000 RMB (US$12,500).

Liu won the 2004 Athens Olympic 110 meter hurdle in 12.91 seconds to match the time by Colin Jackson in 1993.

The 23-year-old Olympic gold medallist recorded a time of 12.88 seconds in a race in Lausanne last month, breaking the old mark of 12.91 that he shared previously with Jackson who first achieved in 1993.

(Xinhua News Agency August 11, 2006)