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A man picks copies of a newspaper at a newsstand, where Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang's photos are seen on local papers' front pages, in central Beijing Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012. Many Chinese following the Olympics at home called Liu Xiang their hero after the former world-record holder and 2004 Olympic champion crashed into the first hurdle during his first heat of the 110-meter hurdles on Tuesday.
A 432-pound barbell crashed down on the neck of Germany's defending super heavyweight weightlifting champion, causing him to leave the final event.

Matthias Steiner lost his balance Tuesday trying to lift 196 kilograms in his second lift of the snatch portion of the competition. He fell awkwardly to the platform as the barbell crashed down on him.

Medical personnel rushed up to tend to the German, who got onto his feet and waved to the crowd as he walked into the back room. He didn't come out for his third attempt.

"He is in a bit of pain in the back, and they don't want him to get a real heavy injury," said Harold Strier, a spokesman for Germany's weightlifting federation.

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