(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-10 09:58

VALENCIA, Spain - China's Liu Xiang received the gold medal for the 60 metre hurdles on two occasions on Sunday after a mix-up over the national anthem.

China's Liu Xiang and Allan Johnson of the US share a smile during the victory ceremony of the men's 60m hurdles final at the 12th IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championship in Valencia March 8, 2008. Liu clocked 7.46 seconds to claim his first indoor title. [Xinhua] Click for More Photos

A bemused Liu was the model of stoicism in the initial ceremony as organisers inadvertently played Chile's national anthem instead of the Chinese.

But he then shook his head as he explained to fellow medallists Allen Johnson and Evgeniy Borisov and organisers what had happened.

An altogether happier Liu took to the podium for a second time 10 minutes later to pick up his gold once again, on this occasion accompanied by the correct anthem.