Merritt shines as injury strikes Liu
Source: Agencies |
July 15, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINESE hurdling star Liu Xiang made a disappointing exit from the Diamond League London Grand Prix on Friday after a bad back ruled him out of the final.
Liu had cruised into the 110-meter hurdles final at Crystal Palace after winning his heat in 13.27 seconds but failed to take his place on the start line for the final after suffering a back strain.
The final was won by in-form American star Aries Merritt, who defied the cool, overcast conditions to equal his own season's fastest time of 12.93.
Merritt, the recent winner of the US Olympic trials and the favorite for the gold medal in London, led an American sweep of the podium, powering clear of Jason Richardson in 13.06 and Ryan Wilson in 13.18.
"The conditions were the same for all of us and this will be great preparation for the Olympics if the weather is like this," said Merritt.
"I got here just two days ago so I am a little under the weather as far as my sleeping patterns are concerned. So it's amazing that I am running this well, I can't be more excited."
Earlier, Tyson Gay prepared for the anticipated chilly Olympics by winning the 100 meters in dreary summer conditions.
The former world champion won in 10.03 in a headwind of 1.2 meters per second, ahead of American compatriot Ryan Bailey and Jamaica's Nesta Carter.
"I'm in pretty good shape, I just need to work on some things on my groin area with my physio and I should be good to go," Gay said.
Gay's main rivals for the July 27-August 12 Olympics were absent.
Asafa Powell was forced to withdraw with a groin strain to ensure he is fit for the games, and his Jamaican compatriot, Olympic champion Usain Bolt, sidestepped the event for tax reasons.
Home favorite Mo Farah enjoyed a comfortable victory in the 5,000 in 13 minutes 6.04 seconds, more than 3 seconds ahead of Collis Birmingham of Australia after upping the pace in the final two laps.
In the women's 5,000, world champion Vivian Cheruiyot led home a Kenyan 1-2-3-4.
World champion Dai Greene was denied victory in the 400 hurdles, finishing behind Javier Culson just like at the Paris leg of the Diamond League two weeks ago. It helped Culson acclimatize for the Olympics.
"I'm not used to the weather, in my country it is very tropical," the Puerto Rican said.
Liu had cruised into the 110-meter hurdles final at Crystal Palace after winning his heat in 13.27 seconds but failed to take his place on the start line for the final after suffering a back strain.
The final was won by in-form American star Aries Merritt, who defied the cool, overcast conditions to equal his own season's fastest time of 12.93.
Merritt, the recent winner of the US Olympic trials and the favorite for the gold medal in London, led an American sweep of the podium, powering clear of Jason Richardson in 13.06 and Ryan Wilson in 13.18.
"The conditions were the same for all of us and this will be great preparation for the Olympics if the weather is like this," said Merritt.
"I got here just two days ago so I am a little under the weather as far as my sleeping patterns are concerned. So it's amazing that I am running this well, I can't be more excited."
Earlier, Tyson Gay prepared for the anticipated chilly Olympics by winning the 100 meters in dreary summer conditions.
The former world champion won in 10.03 in a headwind of 1.2 meters per second, ahead of American compatriot Ryan Bailey and Jamaica's Nesta Carter.
"I'm in pretty good shape, I just need to work on some things on my groin area with my physio and I should be good to go," Gay said.
Gay's main rivals for the July 27-August 12 Olympics were absent.
Asafa Powell was forced to withdraw with a groin strain to ensure he is fit for the games, and his Jamaican compatriot, Olympic champion Usain Bolt, sidestepped the event for tax reasons.
Home favorite Mo Farah enjoyed a comfortable victory in the 5,000 in 13 minutes 6.04 seconds, more than 3 seconds ahead of Collis Birmingham of Australia after upping the pace in the final two laps.
In the women's 5,000, world champion Vivian Cheruiyot led home a Kenyan 1-2-3-4.
World champion Dai Greene was denied victory in the 400 hurdles, finishing behind Javier Culson just like at the Paris leg of the Diamond League two weeks ago. It helped Culson acclimatize for the Olympics.
"I'm not used to the weather, in my country it is very tropical," the Puerto Rican said.
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