Liu Xiang Photo: VCG

Qin Weibo was announced to represent China in the men's 110m hurdles at the Paris Olympic Games, with his target time being 13.3 seconds. Looking back at the Athens Olympic Games 20 years ago, Chinese athlete Liu Xiang set an ­Olympic record with a time of 12.91 seconds, winning the gold medal. 

It has been nine years since Liu retired due to an injury. With his recent entry into social media, netizens have started to reminisce in the comment sections of his posts, sharing their own stories and memories of Liu and the Olympic Games.

A netizen left a message ­under one video posted by Liu, saying that he owned "one-eighth" of Liu Xiang's pants. Though the comment seemed absurd, it received a personal response from Liu: "Hello, one-eighth."

The netizen elaborated on the story later. After winning the 2009 National Games, Liu threw his competition uniform and pants into the stands. The poster was lucky enough to catch the pants, but seven other people also grabbed them and no one wanted to let go. Ultimately, the "lucky pants" were cut into eight pieces and distributed among those who caught them.

Liu's interaction with netizens is not just a tribute to fond memories but also a testament to the deep emotional bond between sports idols and fans. This exchange not only revived fond memories for sports fans but also reminded them of those thrilling and passionate times.

From China's first Olympic champion Xu Haifeng to Sun Yang's gold medal in swimming, or the brilliant achievements of the Chinese table tennis team, these are precious memories shared by Chinese sports fans.

Netizens are also showcasing their Olympic memorabilia collections, ranging from signed jerseys to limited-edition coins, from event tickets to athlete posters, demonstrating a wide variety of keepsakes. Many have expressed that the passion and glory of those years remain vivid in their hearts.

The Olympic spirit is not just about athletic competition; it's a force that inspires people to continually surpass themselves and pursue excellence, one netizen said. This spirit, which has left indelible memories, continues to inspire generations to strive for their dreams and surpass themselves.