BEIJING -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping telegraphed the General Administration of Sport on Monday to express their concern and sympathy to Chinese athlete Liu Xiang, who pulled out of the men's 110m hurdles first round because of foot injury.

China's Olympic champion Liu Xiang walks away after failing to start his 110 metres hurdles first-round heat of the athletics competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 18, 2008. After one false start Liu stopped before the first hurdle clutching his leg and then walked out of the stadium. [Agencies]More photos

Chinese state leaders were very concerned with Liu's injury, and hoped that he would get timely treatment and recover soon, said Xi, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

Xi expressed warm regards and encouragement to Liu and his coach Sun Haiping in the telegraph, which he sent soon after learning the news of Xiu quitting the game.