Two firsts for the men’s 110 meter hurdles occurred Tuesday night. Jamaica won its first gold medal, and the U.S. failed to medal.
Omar McLeod ran an extremely clean race and took gold with a time of 13.05 seconds, more than a tenth of a second better than silver medalist Orlando Ortega of Spain (13.17s). While Jamaica has a proud sprinting history, including the likes of current 100 meter champions Usain Bolt and Elaine Thompson, the hurdles (specifically the 110 hurdles) have been a different matter.
Ortega, who was born in Cuba and cleared to represent Spain less than two weeks ago, is that nation’s first Olympic medalist in the 110 hurdles.