By Sportswriter Paul Giblin
LONDON, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Aries Merritt ran a personal best of 12.92 to win the gold medal in the final of the 110 meters hurdle on Wednesday night.
It is the first gold medal that the US have taken in the event since Allen Johnson took gold in Atlanta in 1996.
Merritt got a flying start and held off the challenge of world champion Jason Richardson and Jamaica's Hansle Parchment to secure what in the end was a comfortable win. The race ended in sadness for Daryon Robles as the reigning Olympic champion, who had got a good start, limped out after pulling his hamstring.
Merrit's medal, was down to hard work and his ability to relax at the key moment, explained the gold medalist.
"I trained for this, it is very intensive," he said, adding that he had done all he could in order to take the tension out of his performance.
"When I practice, I do some ridiculous things, so I thought I'd try and do that here. I work so well in practice when there is no pressure, so I tried to repeat that," said Merritt.
Meanwhile Richardson's silver gave the US an impressive 1-2 on a night on an excellent night for the American's in the Olympic Stadium winning three of the four gold medals that were up for grabs.
Allyson Felix ended the disappointment of taking silver in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics by finally getting the better of Veronica Campbell Brown in 200 meters final.
"You can never lose sight of your dream; I suppose it will sink in sometimes tonight. I have waited so long and this moment is really priceless. It has been a long time coming, I have waited to do long for this, so I am overjoyed, there are so many people here tonight, so I am delighted to share it with them," said Felix.
Campbell went into the race with hopes of becoming the first woman to win gold in the same track event in three consecutive Olympics, but was run out on the back straight.
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