(UPDATES with quotes)
Aries Merritt of the United States took the Olympic gold medal in the men's 110 meters hurdles on Wednesday.
Merritt, the world No. 1, ran a new personal best of 12.92 to cruise to the title ahead of countryman and world champion Jason Richardson.
Richardson clocked 13.04 for silver, with Hansle Parchment of Jamaica taking a surprise bronze in 13.12.
"The gold medal means everything," said Merritt. "The U.S. haven't had a gold medal since Allen Johnson in 1996. It's phenomenal. To be here in this atmosphere is really special."
Richardson said not winning gold will spur him into more intensive training.
"I didn't accomplish everything I wanted, I'm only 26, I have another Olympics ahead of me. I just want to squeeze another four years from my knees."
Parchament, meanwhlie, said there was room for improvement.
"I did not think I executed as well as I wanted, but I got a medal so I'm happy," he said.
The field was weakened after Dayron Robles, Cuba's defending champion, pulled up at 50 meters, and China's 2004 gold medalist Liu Xiang hobbled out in the heats with an achilles problem.
