BEIJING — The media has mythologized him. Girls swoon over him. Men want to be like him.

His smiling face is everywhere: in newspapers, on magazine covers, on television, on massive billboards.

But behind the famous smile lies a certain uneasiness.

Four years after his historic Olympic victory in the 110-meter hurdles, Liu Xiang has to do it again on his home soil. A silver medal isn't good enough. A bronze isn't good enough. Being human isn't good enough.

Only a second gold medal will satisfy more than 1 billion Chinese, many of whom will be riveted to televisions Thursday when the 25-year-old Shanghai resident lines up for 13 seconds of long-awaited national drama.

"If he does not win, the entire stadium will empty," Xu Jiabin, a 20-year-old student, told The Guardian.

It's unholy pressure, complicated by the fact Liu skipped the European track circuit because of a hamstring injury and has been in seclusion since, training intensively.

Many Chinese sports officials worry that Liu might not come through, perhaps casting a shadow over an otherwise remarkable performance for the host country.

Standing in Liu's way are Dayron Robles, the Cuban who broke his world record in June with a 12.87 clocking; David Oliver, of Denver, a man on the rise; and American Terrence Trammell, always a factor in major events.

But Liu's biggest hurdle is his own fame, says his coach, Sun Haiping, who appealed to the Chinese public and the media to stop placing his athlete on a pedestal.

"I would prefer not to be famous," Liu said. "In my heart, I would like to feel ordinary, and it is hard to feel like this."

Some things you should know about Liu

* In China, he's considered more popular than Yao Ming, the Houston Rockets center. In 2007, endorsements lifted his earnings to more than $23 million, according to a survey by Forbes. Not only does he advertise Cadillac, Coca-Cola and Nike, there is also a Liu Xiang Visa card.

* When he broke the world record for the 110-meter hurdles in 2006, it took up 20 minutes on the national news in China.

* When a national poll asked people what they wished would happen at the Beijing Games, the No. 1 response was watching Liu win. Staging a successful Olympics ranked No. 4.

* His legs are insured for $13.3 million.

* His 2004 Olympic gold medal was China's first in a men's track-and-field event in the modern Games. He became an instant symbol for China's ability to conquer the world in new fields.

* At 6-foot-2 and 181 pounds, he doesn't have the ideal physique for the event. But he is technically flawless, able to maintain his speed from start to finish like few others.

* He no longer can go outside unaccompanied. He uses decoy cars to avoid being mobbed. "He has many things he wants to do, but he can't," said Feng Shuyong, China's head track-and-field coach. "That is why I ask our team members to do whatever we can to make him happy, because many times, he is alone in the room, on the computer."

* Although his parents wanted him to study computer engineering, he enrolled at a local sports school. He started off as a high jumper but switched to hurdles because he liked the technical mastery the event required.

* In Shanghai, at least five daily newspapers and one television station have assigned reporters to cover him.

* A bronze statue of Liu was erected in his hometown.

* He loves designer clothes and enjoys singing karaoke.

* He donated 2,500,000 yuan (about $365,000) for Sichuan earthquake relief.

He said it

"My victory has proved that athletes with yellow skin can run as fast as those with black and white skin."

Liu, after becoming the first Chinese man to win a sprinting event in modern Olympic history in Athens.

In Liu's shoes

* Cathy Freeman, Australia, 2000 Summer Games: She was the story of the Sydney Games, lighting the Olympic flame during the Opening Ceremonies and winning the 400 meters before the home crowd. The pressure on Freeman was incredible. Not only did she carry the nation's hopes on her shoulders, but being an aborigine, she symbolized a new multicultural Australia. "My only advice to Liu is to just breathe, breathe, breathe, and to just do what you know," Freeman said on her Web site.

* Franz Klammer, Austria, 1976 Winter Games: The most fearless of all downhillers hurtled down an icy mountain in Innsbruck, Austria, to beat favorite Bernhard Russi. Austrians still talk about their beloved hero and his remarkable feat on home snow.

Tragic ending

Japanese marathon runner Kokichi Tsuburaya finished third in the 1964 Tokyo Games. Four years later, while in training for the Mexico City Olympics, he killed himself. Friends said he never forgave himself for letting his country down.

Changing times

With blazers such as Roger Kingdom, Lee Calhoun and Allen Johnson, America dominated the 110-meter hurdles for decades. But Liu and Robles have expanded the boundaries of the event, helping turn it into one of track's chic events.

The challengers

* David Oliver: The Denver East High School graduate blazed to a 12.95 clocking at the Doha Super Grand Prix, tying the ninth-best time in history and only 0.07 seconds off the world record at the time, owned by Liu. A late bloomer in the technical event. A natural closer, able to accelerate easily in the crucial zone between the final hurdle and finish. Considered the most consistent American.

* Dayron Robles: The free-spirited Cuban broke Liu's record and dominated the event this summer. Experts pick him to win. "(Robles) is a really tough opponent," Liu told sina.com. "From an overall comparison, he is stronger than me. It's clear he is the best hurdler out of everyone coming to the Beijing Games."

* Terrence Trammell: Making his third Olympic appearance. A surprise silver medalist in Sydney and runner-up to Liu in Athens in 2004. Tired of being No. 2. Has the most experience on the big stage.