Kenyan runners have won 21 of 30 steeplechase medals in 10 Olympic Games. So, by all rights, she should get to name it.
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The United States women’s 100 meter hurdles team made Olympic history Wednesday and two ACC stars – Brianna Rollins and Kristi Castlin – were right in the middle of the action.
A banner night, for sure. It was a rough night for the Rio crowd at the beach, as Brazil’s Agatha and Barbara proceeded to lose to Germany’s Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst in the gold-medal match. “It was an awesome hour”.
Constant encouragement from her husband John and coach Rana Reider coaxed Bartoletta back into long jump and an improved diet and weight training program helped her regain her former prowess. Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin were second and third, respectively. The U.S.is the first country to ever sweep the women’s high hurdles in Olympic history, and the 1-2-3 finish also marked the first time the U.S. women have ever swept any event in Olympic track and field history.
And yes, they realized what their fellow Americans were up to. Castlin fell to the floor with emotion after she claimed silver.
That fired Ali up. They’re my backbone and keep me going. Did we do it?’ ‘ Ali said.
Former Clemson star Brianna Rollins led team United States of America to its first medals sweep in Rio Wednesday night.
“I’ve overcome so much, so this is really for everyone who had a hard time, who had to bounce back”, Castlin said on NBC. It was an wonderful opportunity. “I don’t know what he was trying to do”.
“I think that it’s just very good to be a part of this whole black girl magic movement”, she said. Rollins became the first Clemson female to win a gold medal in an individual event in the Olympics in any sport.
Rollins was the favorite and she showed it throughout the competition.
There went a good shot at an Olympic medal.
Bartoletta took the gold at 23 feet, 61/4, Reese, the 2012 Olympic champion, the silver at 23-51/2. Torie Bowie of the USA won bronze. There have only been team competitions at the past three Olympics, but China’s men and women have won all of those.
They include Kendra Harrison, who set a new world record last month yet who missed out on a place on the team for Rio at the US Olympic trials.
Castlin finished first in her semifinal heat earlier Wednesday, running 12.63.
Kenya now has seven medals, four of them being gold.
The United States has won 21 in a row, including its five games in Rio by a combined score of 61-27.
Luis Scola scored 15 points and Manu Ginobili had 14 for Argentina in what’s expected to the final time the remaining core members of its Golden Generation play together.
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Brianna Rollins provided one of the gold medals when she won the Women’s 100-meter hurdles.
