Chinese hurdler Liu finishes second in IAAF internet poll

Chinese ace Liu Xiang, the men's 110-meter hurdles world record holder, has finished in the second place on the internet poll for the World Male Athlete of the Year award in 2006, announced the IAAF official website on Monday.

The internet vote, which was initiated on October 11, was closed on Monday when Olympic discus throw champion Virgilijus Alekna from Lithuania topped the ten-strong poll, with sprinter Asafa Powell of Jamaica third following second-ranked Liu at heel.

A special jury of the International Athletic Foundation will make a final selection of Athlete of the Year out of the three and announce the winner at the 2006 IAAF World Athletics Gala in Monaco on Sunday.

According to the official website, the internet vote will count for 30 percent of the final result for determining the 2006 Athlete of the Year.

Source: Xinhua