American sprinters won 13 individual medals - including four golds - plus three relay medals in the 2004 Olympics. Despite some key injuries and unfortunate mistakes, American sprinters increased their haul to 15 individual medals, with three golds, in Beijing, and added two relay gold medals. Here are the American sprinters and hurdlers who were considered key contenders entering the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.
11. Sanya Richards
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Entering the 2008 Olympics, Sanya Richards’ track and field resume lacked just one item: an individual Olympic medal. She got it in Beijing, then added a strong relay run in the 4 x 400.
12. Kerron Clement
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The 2007 world champion in the 400-meter hurdles competed in his first Olympic Games in 2008 and earned two medals, one in the hurdles and one in a relay.
13. Bershawn Jackson
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Once the world's top-ranked 400-meter hurdler, Jackson's victory at the 2008 Olympic Trials put him back among the sport's elite performers. He then reached the medals stand as part of an American sweep in Beijing.
14. Tiffany Ross-Williams
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Tiffany Ross-Williams won at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, but she fell well short of a medal in the 400-meter hurdles in Beijing.
15. Terrence Trammell
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Terrence Trammell finished second to China's Liu Xiang at the 2004 Olympics. The two seemed headed for a rematach in Beijing, but both suffered bitter disappointments.
16. David Oliver
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The 2008 U.S. champion in the 110 hurdles, Oliver was in the hunt for a gold in Beijing.
17. Lolo Jones
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The exuberant Lolo Jones was the 2008 U.S. 100-meter hurdles champ and she appeared headed for gold in Beijing defore disaster struck at hurdle number nine.
18. LaShawn Merritt
Jonathan Ferrey
LaShawn Merritt shocked the track and field world when he defeated Jeremy Wariner in the 400 at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials. Merritt's performance in the Olympics proved that the earlier victory was no fluke.
Read more:
Medal Predictions
World’s Top Contender Profiles
Summer Olympics main page
Read more:
Medal Predictions
World’s Top Contender Profiles
Summer Olympics main page
