110 metres Hurdles, Men

Although many experts looked to the last two gold medalists, China’s Liu Xiang (2004) or Cuba’s Dayron Robles (2008), as favorites, American Aries Merritt had been having the best year and was undefeated in 2012 coming into London, including a win at the 2012 World Indoors. Merritt had been World Junior Champion back in 2004, but had never before made the Olympic team. Another American was also highly considered, that being Jason Richardson, the 2011 World Champion.

Liu was out of the event quickly. In his heat he slammed the first barrier, and crumpled to the track, having torn his right Achilles’ tendon, the same Achilles that had forced him from the 2008 Olympics. Robles made it to the final, and got a good start, but his hamstring was iffy, and it gave out mid-race. He walked across the line in 42.86 but was later disqualified. In his semi, Merritt showed his form in running 12.94, the fastest time ever outside of a final.

Merritt was off quickly in the final, leading from the start, and was never headed, winning in a PR 12.92, his fifth time of 2012 under 12.95 seconds. Behind him Richardson won the silver, with the bronze going to Jamaican Hansle Parchment. Thirty days after the Olympic final, Merritt shattered the world record, running 12.80 to win the Van Damme Invitational in Brussels. It was the end of one of the great seasons ever in hurdling, as it marked his eighth legal mark under 13.00 in 2012, the most in history.