Internationally renowned Chinese 110-meter hurdler Liu Xiang will go to the United States next month to determine whether he needs surgery on his injured right foot.
The Titan Sports Weekly, a Chinese national newspaper, reports that some doctors have suggested that Liu Xiang undergo surgery as the quickest and most effective way to cure the chronic inflammation in his Achilles' tendon in the right foot.
But his coach, Sun Haiping, and other Chinese doctors recommend less risky physical treatment, such as massage or traditional Chinese medicinal therapies.
The two sides agreed to disagree while Liu Xiang goes to the United States next month and a decision will only be made then on the type of medical treatment.
Currently, Liu Xiang is undergoing treatment in his hometown Shanghai, while he continues to train.
"I have training everyday to maintain my current physical condition. I cannot take a thorough break. Otherwise, it would be much harder for me to regain the status to compete again after my right foot completely heals."
Liu Xiang pulled out of the first round of the 110-meter hurdles at the Beijing Olympic Games last month, citing a recurrence of the chronic inflammation in his Achilles' tendon.