体坛英语新闻：Athlete Liu Xiang to champion coaches at top Chinese political meeting

BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Celebrated Chinese track athlete Liu Xiang arrived in Beijing late Monday to attend the third session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

A source at the CPPCC's Shanghai Committee confirmed that Liu would make a proposal on setting an effective mechanism to safeguard the benefits of coaches in competitive sports.

Liu said the proposal included viewpoints from the national track and field team and the Management Center of Track and Field under the State General Sports Administration.

"I am not professional in this aspect (making proposals) and need help from many others," he said. "I will make proposals on athletes if I have chances in the future."

Liu missed the first session of the CPPCC's 11th National Committee in 2008 as he competed in the World Indoor Track and Field Championships in Spain. One year later, he missed the first part of the second session of the top political advisory body as he was in rehabilitation training in the United States.

Liu is scheduled to leave on March 9 to attend the World Indoor Track and Field Championships in Doha.

Liu, who won the gold medal in the 110 meters hurdles at the Athens Olympics in 2004, was China's first male gold medalist in the track and field events at the Olympic Games.

He stunned the nation in 2008 when he withdrew from the 110 meters hurdles first round at the Beijing Games because of a foot injury.

The third session of the CPPCC's 11th National Committee opens on March 3 and ends on March 13.