Merritt, Richardson make it 1-2 for US, pain for Robles
Source: AFP |
August 10, 2012, Friday
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Print Edition
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ARIES Merritt's hurdling career started on a dare. It took off with a technical change. And it peaked with a gold medal on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old Merritt led a 1-2 finish for the United States in the 110-meter hurdles, winning in 12.92 seconds. World champion Jason Richardson was second in 13.04. Hansle Parchment of Jamaica took the bronze in 13.12.
Defending champion and world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba pulled up midway through the race, clutching his right hamstring. He began limping early and came to a stop after clearing the sixth hurdle, then shoved another barrier down to the track.
The 2004 Olympic champion, China's Liu Xiang, was injured in the first round of qualifying and stopped before reaching the first hurdle.
"I had a problem with my hamstring and I had to stop," Robles said. "I'd been having problems all year with the other hamstring. I did everything I could. I ran super easy in the semifinals. I was going for it but that's athletics and that's the Olympics.
"I've got to carry on."
Merritt and Richardson gave the US its first gold-silver finish in the event since 1996, when Allen Johnson and Mark Crear claimed the top two spots in Atlanta. No American had won gold since.
"I've worked so hard for this moment and who knows if I'll ever get this chance again?" Merritt said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment and I'm just kind of living it. I'm the champion. It still hasn't sunk in yet that I'm Olympic champion."
Richardson was somewhat disappointed with second.
But after cooling off, it started to sink in that Richardson has two medals in two major events - one at the world championships and another in London. "I'm extremely blessed to say I made two teams and medaled twice," Richardson said. "I'm 2 for 2."
Merritt thought his Olympic moment would come in Beijing in 2008, but his grandmother died before the US trials and he carried the heartbreak with him for some time. Making things worse, he pulled a hamstring and missed months of training. He finished fourth in those Summer Games. "If you're not emotionally stable, you're not going to (win)," he said. "To wind up in fourth place was a blessing."
Four years later, he is on top of his game.
The 27-year-old Merritt led a 1-2 finish for the United States in the 110-meter hurdles, winning in 12.92 seconds. World champion Jason Richardson was second in 13.04. Hansle Parchment of Jamaica took the bronze in 13.12.
Defending champion and world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba pulled up midway through the race, clutching his right hamstring. He began limping early and came to a stop after clearing the sixth hurdle, then shoved another barrier down to the track.
The 2004 Olympic champion, China's Liu Xiang, was injured in the first round of qualifying and stopped before reaching the first hurdle.
"I had a problem with my hamstring and I had to stop," Robles said. "I'd been having problems all year with the other hamstring. I did everything I could. I ran super easy in the semifinals. I was going for it but that's athletics and that's the Olympics.
"I've got to carry on."
Merritt and Richardson gave the US its first gold-silver finish in the event since 1996, when Allen Johnson and Mark Crear claimed the top two spots in Atlanta. No American had won gold since.
"I've worked so hard for this moment and who knows if I'll ever get this chance again?" Merritt said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment and I'm just kind of living it. I'm the champion. It still hasn't sunk in yet that I'm Olympic champion."
Richardson was somewhat disappointed with second.
But after cooling off, it started to sink in that Richardson has two medals in two major events - one at the world championships and another in London. "I'm extremely blessed to say I made two teams and medaled twice," Richardson said. "I'm 2 for 2."
Merritt thought his Olympic moment would come in Beijing in 2008, but his grandmother died before the US trials and he carried the heartbreak with him for some time. Making things worse, he pulled a hamstring and missed months of training. He finished fourth in those Summer Games. "If you're not emotionally stable, you're not going to (win)," he said. "To wind up in fourth place was a blessing."
Four years later, he is on top of his game.
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