The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic GamesAugust 8-24 2008
(BEIJING, August 20) -- Melaine Walker of Jamaica set an Olympic record to win the Women's 400m Hurdles, emerging victorious over pre-race favorite and rival Sheena Tosta of the United States at the National Stadium on Wednesday, August 20.
Walker, in her Olympic debut, crossed the line in 52.64 seconds to prove that it is not only the Jamaican men who can set Athletics records.
Tosta held on for silver in 53.70, with Tasha Danvers of Great Britain claiming the bronze, her first major championships medal, in a personal best 53.84.
As Walker pulled into the home straight, only Tosta was left to challenge her and the two left the rest of the field behind in a sprint to the line, with Walker pulling away from Tosta over the last 50 meters.
Danvers kicked as she entered the straight but was pushed all the way to the line by Anastasiya Rabchenyuk of Ukraine, who finished fourth, 0.12s behind.
Tiffany Ross-Williams of the United States, the winner of the 2008 US Olympic trials, finished in last place in a disappointing 57.55.
