ATHLETICS Xiang ties 110 hurdle mark in winning gold

XATHENS, Greece -- Liu Xiang of China tied the 110-meter hurdles world record and set a new Olympic mark Friday, winning the gold medal in 12.91 seconds.
Liu, who took bronze in the world indoor and outdoor championships last year, equaled the world mark set by Colin Jackson in 1993 and broke the Olympic record of 12.95 set by Allen Johnson in 1996.
It was the first gold medal in track for a male Chinese athlete.
The 21-year-old Liu, who became the favorite when Johnson crashed in the second round and failed to advance, had the lead throughout the race. He crossed the line in an ecstatic flurry of arms and legs, then pumped his fists in victory.
U.S. trials champion Terrence Trammell won silver in 13.18, while Anier Garcia of Cuba took bronze in 13.20.
Trammell, who won silver at the 2000 Olympics and 2003 world championships, was the only American in the final. Johnson, the four-time world champion, fell for just the second time in his career Wednesday to end his medal hopes. Duane Ross, the other American in the field, went out in the semifinals.
In the pole vault, Tim Mack cleared an Olympic-record 19 feet, 61/4 inches on his final try to lead a 1-2 American finish.
Toby Stevenson cleared 19-41/4 for the silver medal, as the United States took the top two places in the event for the second Olympics in a row. Giuseppe Gibilisco of Italy, the 2003 world champion, earned the bronze at 19-21/2.
Stevenson led through most of the competition and was lying comfortably on his back, knowing the gold was his if Mack missed. But the 32-year-old vaulter from Knoxville, Tenn., cleared the bar for a personal best mark and Stevenson failed on his third and final try at 19-41/4, slamming his trademark helmet into the landing pit in disgust.
He then hugged Mack, and watched as the champion took his last three attempts.
The colorful Stevenson had got the crowd going with his celebrations, including a "shimmy-shake" with his hands after making one of his early heights.
Mack, the U.S. trials champion, missed three times at 19-81/4 (six meters). Stevenson and American record-holder Jeff Hartwig have cleared that height.
Four years ago in Sydney, Americans Nick Hysong and Lawrence Johnson finished 1-2 in the pole vault.
Mack, whose previous personal best was 19-41/4, broke the Olympic record of 19-51/4 shared by three vaulters -- Andre Tivontchik of Germany, Igor Trandevkov of Russia and Jean Galfione of France. All three set the mark in Atlanta in 1996.
Mack and Stevenson both cleared 19-41/4 on their first attempt. Stevenson began celebrating as he fell down to the mat, shaking his fists in triumph because he knew he had taken the lead on fewer misses.
Associated Press
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