McLeod sprints to hurdles gold

The 22-year-old, the only man to clock below 13 seconds this year, exploded out of the blocks to take a lead that was never threatened and crossed the line in 13.05 to win a title that was once a virtual preserve of Americans. 

It was the slowest winning time in an Olympic final since Canada’s Mark McKoy won gold in 13.12 in Barcelona in 1992 but that was never going to bother McLeod, who also won the world indoor 60 meters hurdles title earlier this year. 

Cuban-born Orlando Ortega was second in 13.17 to take silver for Spain, while Frenchman Dimitri Bascou claimed bronze in 13.24 ahead of compatriot Pascal Martinot-Lagarde. 

Nineteen of the 27 previous Olympic high hurdles champions had come from the United States but the event provided only disappointment for the Americans on Tuesday. 

National champion Devon Allen stood fifth.