Devers fails to hurdle over her jinx

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Sydney: Three times world champion Gail Devers of the United States crashed out of the 100 metres hurdles semi-finals on Wednesday, losing probably her final chance to win an Olympic title in her specialist event.

Devers, 33, a hurdler by preference, won the 100 metres title at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and retained it four years later in Atlanta. She failed to qualify for the US team for the Sydney Games but was clear favourite to win the hurdles title, which has eluded her in three Olympics.

However on Wednesday, Devers clipped the fourth hurdle in the first semi-final, lost her stride pattern and crashed into the fifth barrier. She disentangled herself from the barrier and walked slowly from the track.

Devers was leading the field in the Barcelona hurdles final when she fell over the final hurdle. She finished fourth at the Atlanta Games.



(c) Reuters Limited.