Chinese athelete Liu Xiang,the gold medalist in the 110-meter hurdles at the Athens Olympic Games, is facing enormous pressure to defend his title.

Cuba's Dayron Robles broke Liu's world record this year and has become the biggest threat to the Chinese athlete. Robles has won seven of eight championships since June, while Liu has been suffering from a sore hamstring（腿筋）.

Some media commentaries say if Liu fails to snatch the gold in the upcoming Games, all Chinese citizens will be disappointed.

But a columnist at China Daily, the country's English-language newspaper, wrote an article calling on the public to stop pressuring Liu.

The paper says the last thing Liu needs right now is more pressure.

It notes many citizens and government officials act like parents who pin all their hopes on a few promising children, which only has adverse effects on their offspring.

The author stresses that experienced athletes do not need admonition of any kind and know well what their performance means. What they need is an approximation or even a semblance of normalcy.

Both Liu Xiang and the public should go easy on the Games, the article says.

The author calls on the Chinese to cheer for Liu if he wins and comfort him if he loses. Whatever the result, he is and will continue to be the pride of all, the article notes.