Watch the U.S. women’s team complete a historic sweep in the 100-meter hurdles
It’s the first time a country has ever finished 1-2-3 in the Olympic event.
The U.S. Olympic track and field team had a historic night Wednesday. In the span of an hour, America won six medals spread over three events, in what gold medal long jumper Tianna Bartoletta called “awesome hour.”Bartoletta and teammate Brittney Reese went 1-2 in the long jump, and runner Tori Bowie captured a bronze in the 200-meter race. But the biggest highlight of the medal onslaught was the 1-2-3 finish in the women’s 100-meter hurdles by Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali, and Kristi Castlin.
#USA takes 1, 2 and 3 in the 100m hurdles for the first sweep in women’s @usatf history! https://t.co/zCIBO09zPJ https://t.co/lEEi2mkyyO
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 18, 2016
The trio’s podium sweep was the first in the women’s U.S. Olympic track and field team history, and the first time any country had ever swept the 100-meter women’s hurdles.
Though Rollins and Ali clearly took first and second, Castlin had to wait for a few tension-filled moments until judges determined that she out-leaned Cindy Ofili of Great Britain.
This photo finish in the women’s 100-meter hurdles.
Rollins’s gold medal finish happened on an especially big night for her: An hour after the race, she turned 25.
‘‘I tried to feed off all the positive energy from Team USA,’’ Rollins told the AP. ‘‘We were able to come out here and fulfill our dreams. It was an amazing opportunity. I was trying to enjoy each and every moment. I’m just happy to share the moment with Kristi and Nia.’’
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com