China's Liu Xiang falls during men's 110m hurdles heat at London 2012 Olympic Games, London, Britain, Aug. 7, 2012. (Photo/Sina Weibo)

Liu Xiang kisses the hurdle after men's 110m hurdles at London 2012 Olympic Games, London, Britain, Aug. 7, 2012. (Photo/Sina Weibo)

China's Liu Xiang (C) leaves the venue supported by a staff member and a contestant after men's 110m hurdles heat at London 2012 Olympic Games, London, Britain, Aug. 7, 2012. (Photo/Xinhua)

China's Liu Xiang (C) falls during men's 110m hurdles heat at London 2012 Olympic Games, London, Britain, Aug. 7, 2012. Liu Xiang was disqualified for semifinal. (Photo/Xinhua)

Liu Xiang, China's most-watched athlete, is returning to the Olympic track four years after his hopes for gold were crushed in Beijing.

Unfortunately, at the age of 29, the Shanghai-born superstar again fell out of the Olympic grace as he was stumbled when crossing the first hurdle, and hobbled off the field.

Liu Xiang, who won a gold medal in the 2004 Athens Olympics, is competing in the men's 110m hurdle competition.

He underwent nearly four months of surgery and treatment in the US, before his return to the track in late 2009. The 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games were seen as the point by which he had fully recovered.