As the Chinese saying goes, humans are afraid of fame just like pigs are afraid of being fat. China's 100-m hurdle Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang, is no exception.

Liu Xiang of China celebrates setting a new world record in the men's 110-metre race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meeting in Lausanne July 11, 2006. Liu won the race in a world record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters]

Fans are now complaining that the Olympic champion is focusing too much on overseas matches instead of national competitions, according to a report carried by the China Youth Daily.

A fan, surnamed Liu, from China's northwest Shannxi Province says it is hard to spot Liu Xiang at national competitions.

"After the Olympic games, my friends and I wanted to go to see Liu's matches. But he didn't appear in national competitions in2004 after the games. I went to Jiangxi, Guangdong, Tianjin last year for a few matches, including the tenth national sports meeting," the girl complained.

The 23-year-old has become popular after he captured the country's first-ever medal in the men's 100m hurdles after running a 12.91 at the Athens Olympics and his latest performance breaking the world record at the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meet in Lausanne with a time of 12.88.

China's track and field official and Liu's coach defend Liu's choices.

"We of course hope Liu can take part in more national competitions, which at least will lure fans back to track and field sports. There were only few athletes and reporters on the stands, but now the whole of China will be watching him, even his practices," said the director of China's Track and Field Management Department Yu Weili.

"But to be honest, the national competitions are sometimes a problem for Liu. It is not that Liu Xiang wouldn't like to take part in them. He is just worried that there will be some trouble," Yu told the Beijing-based paper.

Liu Xiang of China celebrates setting a new world record in the men's 110-metre race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meeting in Lausanne, July 11, 2006. Liu won the race in a world record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters]

"Last June, at the national track and field competition in Shijiazhuang, his vest was taken away by a fan during the preliminary match, which really upset him," Yu said.

"It is impossible for Liu to have a rest. There is always someone who wants to disturb his rest. Liu is so kind that he won't refuse others' request," Liu's coach Sun Haiping said.

"Waiters, waitresses, guards at every hotel and volunteers at the training ground all requested autographs. They even bring their friends to watch Liu's matches and trainings," says Sun, adding it is hard for Liu to concentrate on matches.

"Liu just broke the world record, which may cause an uproar among fans all over China. Liu is likely to face lots problems from the public," Sun said.

Liu Xiang (front) of China sets a new world record past Dominique Arnold of the U.S. in the men's 110-metre race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meeting in Lausanne July 11, 2006. Liu won the race in a world record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters]

"I hope fans can be much more considerate. After all, Liu is a sportsman and has to train for better results."

The fan's excitement reflects the fact that most of the attention has been fixed on Liu instead of the 100-m hurdles event itself.

The 23-year-old agreed to participate in the 2006 National Track and Field Championship in Shijiazhuang, in the northern province of Hebei, on the precondition that he will leave for Beijing on the day the match is held and won't stay at the city after the match

"It is tiring for me to fly between Beijing and Shijiazhuang in one day, but I am able to avoid disturbance from fans," the Olympic champion said.

"Organizers in Shijiazhuang have promised not to trouble him so we decided to participate in the match," Yu explained.