A statue of China's first Olympian -- sprinter Liu Changchun -- was unveiled on Tuesday in his hometown of Dalian, a coastal city in northeast China, three days ahead of the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games.

The 3.8-meter-high bronze statue depicts Liu running. It was set up in the Olympic Square in Dalian, a place where he started his athletic career. Engraved on the foundation were the Chinese characters meaning "China first Olympic person Liu Changchun."

A statue of China's first Olympian -- sprinter Liu Changchun -- was unveiled on Tuesday in his hometown of Dalian. [Wang Jinhai/people.com.cn]

Born in Dalian in 1909, Liu participated in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the only Chinese athlete in the field. He entered the 100 meters and 200 meters sprints but failed to qualify for the finals, due to a big strength consumption from his 25 day sea journey.

Four years later, along with other Chinese athletes, he competed in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Along with the other Chinese, he came away without a medal.

Liu later became a coach and sports teacher. He died in 1983, a year before China would win its first Olympic gold medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I am very excited today," said his son Liu Hongtu at the ceremony. "The completion of the statue is not only a representation of the respect and love of the Dalian people for my father, but also a promotion of the Olympic spirit."

Zhang Lianshan, a 63-year-old Dalian resident, watched the unveiling ceremony on Tuesday.

"We Chinese have been looking forward to the Games for so many years," he said. "After a few days, the Games will open in Beijing. It is a grand event and it shows China has become strong."

The Dalian city government funded the commissioning of the statue.

"Today we set up the bronze statue of Mr Liu in the Dalian Olympic Square, for the purpose of passing Liu's patriotic, unflinching and go-ahead spirit," said Dalian mayor Xia Deren at the unveiling ceremony.

To commemorate Liu and help build up Chinese enthusiasm for the upcoming Games, a documentary film telling of his story at the 1932 Games -- "The One Man Olympics" -- was shown in May. The film will continue showing in some Chinese movie theaters during the Games.

(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)