42-year-old Liu Xiang's recent updates revealed, he has been traveling abroad for a long time, earning income through a lifetime contract, and staying away from online trolls!

Recently, photos and short videos of Liu Xiang abroad have appeared online, and the scenes of him with his wife Wu Sha in different locations have drawn attention to his lifestyle. In 2025, they visited Lausanne, Switzerland, where he once set a record, and later moved on to Paris, several cities in South America, and some places in Thailand. Their itinerary isn’t a hurried checklist but rather a choice to stay in each place for a while, gradually adapting to the local environment. This exposure has allowed the public to see his daily arrangements after retirement gradually becoming clearer.

Liu Xiang was born on July 13, 1983, and after turning 42 in 2025, he continued to maintain a low profile. More than ten years have passed since his retirement, and he hasn’t rushed into a new job but instead allocated his time to travel and family. The couple spends more time abroad than in the country, preferring to deeply experience scenic places rather than just sightseeing. In February 2024, he posted a photo from Lausanne on social media, with simple captions that sparked many memories; similar itineraries continued in 2025, and the public pieced together updates about his current situation.

Nike signed a cooperation agreement with him as early as 2002, which was upgraded to a lifetime contract when he retired in 2015. This support has provided him with a stable source of income after ending his athletic career, so he doesn’t need to hustle for a living. The contract remains valid until 2026, and there is a dedicated center at the Shanghai headquarters to acknowledge his contributions. Such arrangements allow him to plan long-term travels without worrying too much about financial pressure.

In addition to this foundational contract, Liu Xiang participated in collaborations with several domestic brands in 2024 and 2025, including in the beverage, tea, and insurance sectors. These collaborations keep him engaged in certain commercial activities, but the frequency is low, primarily appearing as an ambassador. With diversified income sources, he has greater flexibility in life choices, allowing him to focus on spending time with family and exploring the world. This economic foundation directly supports his long-term travel plans abroad.

On August 18, 2008, during the preliminaries of the Beijing Olympics, Liu Xiang chose to withdraw due to an Achilles tendon injury; in the preliminaries of the London Olympics in 2012, he fell during the hurdles but insisted on hopping through the course on one leg. These events sparked extensive online discussions and criticisms at the time. After retirement, Liu Xiang did not respond much to those past events but instead reduced his exposure to the domestic media environment through traveling abroad. Living abroad for an extended period has naturally distanced him from those previously controversial topics, allowing him to focus on his own pace.

Liu Xiang’s first marriage was registered in 2014 and ended in June 2015, lasting less than a year. In 2016, he married Wu Sha, whom he had known since their early years; she is a former female pole vaulter. After marriage, they chose a low-key life, without having children, instead dedicating time to each other and travel. In February 2025, they returned to Wu Sha’s hometown in Wuhu, Anhui, and enjoyed their time at Jinghu Park, with photos showing the couple in a relaxed state. This stable relationship has become an important part of his post-retirement life.

The couple prefers a slow-paced travel style, leaving footprints in the Swiss Alps, Paris streets, South American towns, and Thai beaches. Sometimes, they travel with their pet dog, blending into the local daily life rather than just sightseeing. The 2025 South America itinerary includes Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, while the Thailand part covers Bangkok, Pattaya, and Chiang Mai. Such arrangements help Liu Xiang gradually adapt to the transition of identity after retirement, shifting from a focus on the sports field to ordinary life.

On January 21, 2026, Liu Xiang posted an update from Lujiazui in Shanghai with the city’s iconic architecture as the backdrop, responding to rumors of immigration circulating online. In the video, he clearly stated that he is Chinese, emphasizing that nowhere is better than home. This appearance dispelled some speculation and showed that despite his long-term travels, his roots remain in the country. The public confirmed through this update that he hasn’t completely detached from domestic life; he has simply chosen a more flexible way to arrange his time.

Before retirement, Liu Xiang won a gold medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and broke the world record in Lausanne in 2006; these achievements are still mentioned in the athletics community today. On April 7, 2015, he officially announced his retirement, ending his professional career. Injuries limited his ability to continue at his peak but also gave him time to reflect on his path after retirement. The security of a lifetime contract allowed him not to rush into a transition like some athletes but instead to adjust his life focus gradually.

Liu Xiang occasionally participates in youth athletics activities and has held training camps in the country, demonstrating basic skills to children. These activities are small in scale and primarily aim to pass on experience rather than commercialize operations. In 2025, he also visited places like Guizhou to support cultural and tourism-related projects in a more practical manner. Such involvement keeps him connected to the sports field while not affecting his travel plans, maintaining a stable balance in life.

Past controversies mainly centered around his two withdrawals, as public expectations were high, and there was little understanding of the details of his injuries, leading to intense discussions. Liu Xiang chose not to argue but instead used his actions to downplay the impact. Long-term travel abroad became an effective way for him to avoid dense media scrutiny. The rumor-refuting video at the beginning of 2026 further showed that he has a clear understanding of his own positioning and does not want to be tied down by past events.

The foundation of Wu Sha and Liu Xiang’s relationship comes from their shared experiences as athletes; she understands the impact of injuries and stress. After marriage, they did not make a big fuss about publicity but maintained intimacy through daily travel. In 2025, they took photos together in Paris and South America, continuing a similar rhythm in 2026. The choice not to have children is a mutual decision, with varied opinions from the outside, but they stick to their lifestyle.

Liu Xiang’s commercial collaborations have always centered around Nike, with other brands supplementing as he keeps his attendance at events within a reasonable range. This arrangement avoids excessive exposure while ensuring income stability. During travels, he occasionally shares simple scenic photos but with few words, maintaining a low-key style. This allows the public to see an image of a retired athlete gradually moving away from the spotlight.

In 2025, Liu Xiang’s itinerary covered multiple locations in Europe, South America, and Asia, with the Thailand segment allowing him to experience tropical charm, while the European segment revisited old places. Traveling in South America exposed him to different cultures, with an overall relaxed pace. This lifestyle is not common among retired athletes, but it is a natural continuation for him. Economic security and family support together facilitate this choice.

On January 2026, Liu Xiang clearly denied immigration claims, with the IP address and location confirming that he still considers the country his primary home. Although he travels frequently, he is not permanently settled abroad but rather arranges travel in phases. He occasionally returns to Shanghai or Anhui to visit family, maintaining those connections. This balance shows that he has not completely severed his roots but views travel as an enhancement to his life.

Overall, Liu Xiang has taken ten years after retirement to adapt to his new role, moving from enduring public scrutiny to actively choosing to stay away. He relies on early contracts to maintain his livelihood, with travel becoming the main focus of activity. His marriage remains stable, without major ups and downs, and the public catches glimpses of his current situation through sporadic exposure. His past achievements are etched in sports history, while his current life is under his own control.