Chinese athletics, a longtime ugly duckling in the world athletics, is catching up with the white swan.

The potential was shown at the Olympic Stadium on Friday where Chinese athletics struck double golds through hurdler Liu Xiang and long-distance runner Xing Huina.

Asian record holder Liu stormed to take the men's 110m hurdle gold with a world record-tying time of 12.91 seconds, before Xing Huina took the women's 10,000m gold.

Liu also made history by becoming the first Chinese man to reach the Olympic athletics podium since compatriot Zhu Jianhua won a high jump bronze in 1984.

Xing Huina's gold was nothing but a further proof that the rise of Chinese athletics was not a fluke.

"Two gold medals are confidence boosters to the Chinese athletics, we would achieve better performances in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing," said Chinese head coach Feng Shuyong.

Chinese athletics has long played a peripheral role in the world arena, capturing only three gold medals in the medal-rich sport in its Olympic history.

But since Beijing was awarded the 2008 Games over three years ago, Chinese athletics has found new motivation to close the gap with the track and field powerhouses.

In Athens, the inspiring performances by Liu and Xing brought Chinese athletics another motivation.

"The gold medal was a great surprise to me, but it showed that the four-year hard work did not go unpaid," said Xing.

Liu regarded his winning run as a miracle, but promising more miracles to come.

"I didn't expect to run within 13 seconds, let alone tying the world record set by (Collin) Jackson. It is kind of a miracle," Liu said.

"But trust me, I will work more wonders in the future," added Liu, who stood second on the 2004 rankings prior to the Games.

Another wonder might come from the 2008 Games.

"I will be 26 years old when Beijing hosts the Games. It is a golden age for an athlete. I will not let slip the chance to win gold on home track," he said.

Liu, who had twice run an Asian record of 13.06 seconds this year, beat a final field including Frenchman Ladji Doucoure and Anler Garcia of Cuba. World champion Allen Johnson failed to qualify for the final.

Liu also sent a warning to his counterparts that he would remain a longtime force to reckon with.

"Don't underestimate Asian runners," Liu said.

"I will work harder with my coach to show the world that I am the one to beat."

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2004)