Liu Xiang won the men's 110 metres hurdles with a world record-equalling time of 12.91 seconds, defying traditional beliefs about the physical calibre of Chinese (and Asian) sprint athletes. Hicham El Guerrouj capped off his prominent international career with two gold medals in the 1500 m and 5000 m. The Olympic competition in Athens was marred by an incident involving Greek Olympic medallists Konstantinos Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou, who were alleged to have staged a motorcycle crash in order to avoid doping tests.
Liu Xiang shattered expectations with his world record time in the men's 110 metres hurdles, challenging traditional perceptions about Chinese (and Asian) sprint athletes' physical abilities. Hicham El Guerrouj wrapped up his distinguished international career with two gold medals in the 1500 m and 5000 m. The Athens Olympics were marred by a doping scandal involving Greek Olympic medalists Konstantinos Kenteris and Ekaterini Thanou, who allegedly fabricated a motorcycle accident to avoid detection.