Foster, the World Champion and favourite, ran an Olympic record
13.24 in the first round, after Bryggare had impressed with 13.35 in the
first heat. Kingdom then equalled Foster’s 13.24 in the first semi-final,
and Foster himself again ran 13.24 to edge fast-starting Mark McKoy’s
13.30.
The Canadian started fastest in the final, but hit the first hurdle, and
Foster took the lead, with Bryggare third and Kingdom fourth. Despite
hitting six hurdles, Kingdom gained all the way on Foster, and off the
last hurdle was inches behind. Foster looked across from lane 1 to
Kingdom out in lane 8, and lost the race to Kingdom’s closing charge.
Behind them Bryggare held off McKoy, and Campbell hit five hurdles
to preclude any possibility of a medal. Kingdom was unaware that he’d
won until he saw the video replay, while Foster was characteristically
philosophical about second place; “I don’t know if glancing across at
Roger cost me the race … I’m happy it’s over.”