LONDON -- Dawn Harper probably smiled more Tuesday as an Olympic silver medalist than she did as a champion four years ago in Beijing, where the 100-meter hurdles title landed in her lap after teammate Lolo Jones stumbled.
Her knees scarred but her spirit intact, Harper's battle with Australia's Sally Pearson was as heated as the flame in the Olympic Stadium cauldron. Pearson needed an Olympic-record time of 12.35 seconds to edge Harper's personal-best 12.37 performance, with Americans Kellie Wells and Jones close behind at 12.48 and 12.58, respectively.
Two years after a doctor said Harper might never hurdle again following knee surgery, she achieved a new level of excellence and a perspective that made her second-place finish feel like a triumph.
"To go from that to this … there were many times I broke down crying," said Harper, 28. "I was like, 'Lord, this is what you see for me. I thought I had a gift.' "
She has several gifts, including inspiring Pearson and Wells.
"I'm happy for Sally. I'm happy for Dawn. I'm happy for myself," Wells said. "I think the best three came out on top today."
Pearson, the Beijing silver medalist, initially wasn't sure of the outcome.
"When I saw my name on the scoreboard at No. 1, it was a dream come true," Pearson said.
Surprisingly, American athletes proved as good at long races as the sprints and hurdles. Leonel Manzano finished second in the 1,500, the first American man to medal in that race since Jim Ryun won silver in 1968, and Nick Symmonds and Duane Solomon Jr. qualified for the 800 final, the first time the U.S. has had two finalists since 1992.
Coupled with Galen Rupp's silver in the 10,000, this is the first Olympics since 1968 in which American men have won two medals at distances of 1,500 meters or more.
Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria, who was expelled from the Games for not going all-out in his 800-meter heat but was later reinstated, won the 1,500 in 3 minutes, 34.08 seconds. Manzano, who surged from sixth to second late, finished in 3:34.79. American Matt Centrowitz finished fourth.
"That was the first time I've ever cried on a track. That's stronger than words, I guess," Manzano said. "Today was definitely my day."
That wasn't true for all of his U.S. teammates.
World high jump champion Jesse Williams couldn't clear 7 feet, 41/2 inches and was out early.
In the women's 200 semifinals, Sanya Richards-Ross leaned past Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to win their heat in 22.30 seconds and get a better lane for Wednesday's final. Carmelita Jeter, the 100 silver medalist, also advanced in 22.39. Two-time 200 silver medalist Allyson Felix won her heat in a comfortable 22.31.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt eased through the first round of the men's 200, jogging to the finish line in 20.39. Americans Wallace Spearmon Jr. (20.47), Maurice Mitchell (20.54) and Isiah Young (20.55) also advanced to Wednesday's semifinals.
China's Liu Xiang, the 2004 gold medalist in the men's 110 hurdles, apparently injured his right Achilles tendon after he hit the first hurdle in his first-round heat and dropped to the ground. Still, he rose and hopped to the finish line on his left foot. Americans Aries Merritt (13.07), Jason Richardson (13.33) and Jeff Porter (13.55) advanced.
In the women's 5,000, Molly Huddle qualified eighth in 15:02.26, and Juley Culley ranked 12th with a personal-best time of 15:05.38.
Will Claye, the long jump bronze medalist, advanced to the triple jump final with a last attempt of 55-41/4. Christian Taylor qualified at 56-51/4.
Janay DeLoach and Brittney Reese advanced to the women's long jump final.
helliott@tribune.com
Twitter @helenenothelen
Her knees scarred but her spirit intact, Harper's battle with Australia's Sally Pearson was as heated as the flame in the Olympic Stadium cauldron. Pearson needed an Olympic-record time of 12.35 seconds to edge Harper's personal-best 12.37 performance, with Americans Kellie Wells and Jones close behind at 12.48 and 12.58, respectively.
"To go from that to this … there were many times I broke down crying," said Harper, 28. "I was like, 'Lord, this is what you see for me. I thought I had a gift.' "
She has several gifts, including inspiring Pearson and Wells.
"I'm happy for Sally. I'm happy for Dawn. I'm happy for myself," Wells said. "I think the best three came out on top today."
Pearson, the Beijing silver medalist, initially wasn't sure of the outcome.
"When I saw my name on the scoreboard at No. 1, it was a dream come true," Pearson said.
Surprisingly, American athletes proved as good at long races as the sprints and hurdles. Leonel Manzano finished second in the 1,500, the first American man to medal in that race since Jim Ryun won silver in 1968, and Nick Symmonds and Duane Solomon Jr. qualified for the 800 final, the first time the U.S. has had two finalists since 1992.
Coupled with Galen Rupp's silver in the 10,000, this is the first Olympics since 1968 in which American men have won two medals at distances of 1,500 meters or more.
Taoufik Makhloufi of Algeria, who was expelled from the Games for not going all-out in his 800-meter heat but was later reinstated, won the 1,500 in 3 minutes, 34.08 seconds. Manzano, who surged from sixth to second late, finished in 3:34.79. American Matt Centrowitz finished fourth.
"That was the first time I've ever cried on a track. That's stronger than words, I guess," Manzano said. "Today was definitely my day."
That wasn't true for all of his U.S. teammates.
World high jump champion Jesse Williams couldn't clear 7 feet, 41/2 inches and was out early.
In the women's 200 semifinals, Sanya Richards-Ross leaned past Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce to win their heat in 22.30 seconds and get a better lane for Wednesday's final. Carmelita Jeter, the 100 silver medalist, also advanced in 22.39. Two-time 200 silver medalist Allyson Felix won her heat in a comfortable 22.31.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt eased through the first round of the men's 200, jogging to the finish line in 20.39. Americans Wallace Spearmon Jr. (20.47), Maurice Mitchell (20.54) and Isiah Young (20.55) also advanced to Wednesday's semifinals.
China's Liu Xiang, the 2004 gold medalist in the men's 110 hurdles, apparently injured his right Achilles tendon after he hit the first hurdle in his first-round heat and dropped to the ground. Still, he rose and hopped to the finish line on his left foot. Americans Aries Merritt (13.07), Jason Richardson (13.33) and Jeff Porter (13.55) advanced.
In the women's 5,000, Molly Huddle qualified eighth in 15:02.26, and Juley Culley ranked 12th with a personal-best time of 15:05.38.
Will Claye, the long jump bronze medalist, advanced to the triple jump final with a last attempt of 55-41/4. Christian Taylor qualified at 56-51/4.
Janay DeLoach and Brittney Reese advanced to the women's long jump final.
helliott@tribune.com
Twitter @helenenothelen
