Brianna Rollins started out fast and never looked back Wednesday night, leading a USA sweep of the 100-meter hurdles at the Rio Games, winning with 12.48 seconds.
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Rollins, Ali, and Castlin became the first to represent the same country and win gold, silver, and bronze in the women’s 100m hurdles in Olympic history. Brianna Rollins won the gold medal, running 12.48.
When they were finally flashed up, Ali, who starred at Pleasantville High School in N.J., and US teammates Brianna Rollins, and Kristi Castlin erupted in jubilation as the USA trio celebrated a historic 1-2-3 sweep.
Reigning Olympic champion Sally Pearson of Australia is injured.
Rollins won in a time of 12.48 seconds, while U.S. teammates Nia Ali (12.59secs) and Kristi Castlin (12.61secs) came away with silver and bronze, respectively.
US sprinter Justin Gatlin who had been the fastest over 200 meters so far this year, failed to qualify for the final.
The crowd at Olympic Stadium on Wednesday night had an inkling there might be a sweep when each US hurdler each won her heat. The U.S. has won 4 golds in the field.
Fifteen-month-old Titus now has two Olympic silver medalist parents as his father Michael Tinsley finished second in the 400 meters hurdles at the London Olympics. It’s an issue near and dear to her after losing her father was killed during a robbery as a child. Reese, the London 2012 victor, went 7.15, 23-5 1/2 on her sixth and final jump. “I want to connect more with young people that have been victims of gun violence”, said Castlin, who also attended Virginia Tech when 32 people were killed by a gunman on campus in 2007.
Rollins, the 2013 world champion, was the favorite entering the race – which took place on the eve of her 25th birthday – and she did not disappoint.
Jutanugarn shot 6-under 65 for a one-shot lead over seven-time major champion Inbee Park and Seiyoung Kim, both of South Korea.
“I didn’t even make it to the finals”, Castlin said.
The Nia Ali story, by itself, holds so many facets it is truly just remarkable. “We had 11 of the top times in the world”.
Here’s another great image from the Games: Ali walked around the track with her son after clinching silver.
She took some time off from track to focus on what was important – family, school, friends and building relationships. Ali, her hair dyed green, looked calm and serene. “I’m so grateful and blessed that we were able to accomplish this together”, she said.
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Rollins had the race from the start.
