100 / 80 metres Hurdles (100 m), Women

The last two World Championships had been won by Michelle Perry (USA), but she had struggled all year with an injured hamstring and did not get past the semi-finals at the US Trials. In her absence the favorite was another American, Lolo Jones, who had had the best year in 2008. Jones won the first semi in 12.43, the fastest time of the year, confirming her favorite’s status. In the second semi, Sweden’s Susanna Kallur, who was expected to challenge for a medal, hit the first hurdle hard, fell to the track, and was out. The final started as expected with Jones ahead early and late. By the eighth hurdle she was two metres clear of the field and the gold medal seemed assured. But then she rammed the ninth hurdle and stumbled, almost falling; she stayed upright and was able to finish but had lost all momentum and finished seventh. Off the last hurdle, American Dawn Harper and Australian Sally McLellan were about equal, but Harper had much more speed on the run-in and won by 1/10th of a second. Canadian Priscilla Lopes-Schleip closed quickly and only the photo finish could separate her from McLellan, who got the silver medal, with Lopes-Schleip earning bronze.