Apart from the 10 high hurdles, China's Liu Xiang had to contend with another unexpected one at the world championship final in Daegu last year.
As he flew over the barriers fighting for the 110m gold, world record holder Dayron Robles' arm made contact with him thrice, almost pushing him back. And a couple of times, the Cuban and the Chinese — the two fastest men ever in the event — appeared to be holding hands.
The race officials disqualified Robles, the 2008 Beijing Olympic gold medallist, which gave 2004 Olympic champion Liu Xiang the silver, with American Jason Richardson taking the gold. London could be a revenge race for Liu Xiang and Robles, that is, if both of them are fit.
The Chinese, who had a wind-aided 12.87s at the Eugene Prefontaine Classic in June, pulled out of last week's London Grand Prix at the last minute with a minor back twinge. However, his coach says there is no reason to worry. Robles is not exactly in the best of form either.
The 26-year-old has been battling injury and a swelling in his leg which has played havoc with his schedule this season.
One of the best
While the questions remain about the form of Liu Xiang and Robles, there is a bunch of Americans who are ready to make hay while their sun is shining. Aries Merritt is one of them. The 27-year-old, who jumped a fence when a friend dared him to do so once, is now one of the world's best hurdlers.
He lost twice to Liu Xiang this year, in Shanghai and at the Prefontaine Classic, but he was quick to grab the chances in the absence of the Chinese star later. Ranked World No. 3, Merritt tops the world performance list this season with his personal best 12.93s which came when he won the US Olympic Trials in Eugene in June. He repeated the time last week while winning the London Grand Prix which now makes him the favourite for the Olympic title.
Also in the race is world champion Richardson, the runner-up to Merritt in the US trials and the third fastest high hurdler this year.
American Jeff Porter, whose wife will be hurdling for Britain in the London Olympics, made the team after picking a surprise bronze at the US trials, while Cuban Orlando, who handed Robles his first defeat in five years at home, is also dreaming big.
While Porter is fourth in the world lists, Ortega, who trains with Robles and shares the same coach, is just behind the American. Surely, they will not be short of inspiration.
