Liu Xiang warms up for 2012 competitions

Shanghai (CNS) -- Liu Xiang was ready for his first contest of the year when he set out with his coach Sun Haiping from the Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Wednesday.

His European junket is heavy with three competitions: the Birmingham Indoor Grand Prix, the Stockholm Invitational Tournament, and the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics.

Liu said he is relaxed about the tight schedule, and what he demands of himself is just an improvement over last year's performance. "I hope I can narrow my gaps with Robles and Oliver in the first part of the race, and from that alone I will gain more confidence for the coming outdoor events of the year." He is also looking to have some fun between the contests.

Coach Sun expects more than Liu himself, explaining "Liu's injury is under control, so he must be better than last year, and let's let him surprise us."

Leaving nothing to chance, Liu will visit a training base for the London Olympics ahead of the competitions, revealed Sun, yet he assured fans that "safety comes first; a series of rehabilitation sessions has been arranged for Liu after every training course."