Brookins was the fastest in the heats with 54.8, as only Wilén (55.3e)
and the other three Americans ducked under 56 seconds. Brookins was
again fastest in the semi-finals with 54.6, just ahead of Taylor 54.9e,
with Wilén 55.5e beating Luigi Facelli (ITA) by 2m for the last quali-
fying spot. The other semi, affected by wind, was won by Riley in 56.6.
André and Taylor were off the best in the final, and it was only at
halfway that the 35 year-old Frenchman had to give way to the
American. By the eighth hurdle Taylor was 3m clear, while André,
Riley and Brookins were level, with Wilén 3m behind. Brookins went
clear in second place in the finishing straight, as Wilén came up for
third. Taylor won by a good 6m, but was deprived of a world record by
the foolish rule which prevented a record if any hurdle was knocked
over - in Taylor’s case, the last barrier. Accordingly, Wilén was credit-
ed with the Olympic record ... after Brookins was disqualified for run-
ning out of his lane. Blackett was similarly disqualified in a highly
eventful race.
United States
Finland
France
Great Britain
