The design is nearly the same as both of his previous pairs of shoes, with the addition of the new Flywire technology, which helps reduce weight.

Each shoe weighs only 214 grams, a little heavier than three eggs.

Liu also asked Nike to take off one spike from the original six to reduce weight.

"That's another favorite design of his. Normally other hurdles ask for six spikes," Lu said.

To protect his right foot - the one attacking the hurdlers and landing first - Liu requested more thickness and padding at the heel. His wish, obviously, was granted.

In Lu's eyes, Liu's most interesting demand is to keep the strap, even though it is not usually used on spikes these days.

Designed specifically for Liu Xiang, the Zoom Aerofly LX is a revolutionary spike utilizing the innovative Flywire Technology in combination with a special synthetic leather in order to provide the hurdler with a featherlight shoe (each boot weighs 214g) that provides maximum support.

"We tried to remove that, but Liu did not agree," Lu said. "He likes to have that. For him, finishing adjusting the shoes by sticking the strap is a part of his preparation. Every time after he does that, he feels he is ready to go."

Liu has used the shoes in recent training sessions in Beijing. So far the feedback is all positive, though further adjustments are still being made in Nike's South Korea factory.

"It's light, it fits me well and is very comfortable," Liu said.

Nike also developed a two-piece track suit for Liu, who refused the more popular one-piece suit.

The upper part of the suit features a bold design and exposes most of Liu's shoulders to reduce drag during the competitions.