21 August 2008 - 15H19
Robles brings back gold to Cuba in 100m hurdles event
Cuba's Dayron Robles, a top contender for the 100m hurdles event, managed to grab the gold - a win the Chinese had hoped would go to Liu Xiang before he pulled out of the Games. Both silver and bronze were earned by US athletes.
World record-holder Dayron Robles of Cuba swept to victory in the Olympic 110 metres hurdles on Thursday to take the athletics gold medal hosts China had been craving for one of their own.
The bespectacled 21-year-old combined pace and sublime technique to cross the line a metre clear of the field in 12.93 seconds and win the title China's injured Liu Xiang claimed in Athens four years ago.
Robles, who bettered Liu's world mark with a time of 12.87 in June, was the only runner to go under 13 seconds. American David Payne won silver in 13.17 with his compatriot David Oliver claiming bronze in 13.18.
Liu departed the Olympics that were supposed to define his career after being unable to start his first-round heat because of an Achilles injury.
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