Oliver leads US team to London glory

US athletes stole the show on Day Two of the London Diamond League yesterday, with hurdler David Oliver and 400m runners Jeremy Wariner and Allyson Felix claiming impressive victories.

Oliver failed to become the first man to break 13 seconds in a 110m hurdles race on British soil, but his win in a time of 13.06 was flawless in its execution.

It was the 28-year-old’s fifth straight Diamond League victory, but history and chilly conditions at Crystal Palace meant he remained a way off Dayron Robles’s world record of 12.87.

Wariner powered through in the home straight to beat world leader Jermaine Gonzales, clocking 44.67 to also make it five wins in a row in the series in his event.

Felix had earlier clinched a meet double by following up her easy 200m win on Friday with a gutsy run to edge the longer version a day later, the three-time 200m world champion holding off new European champion Tatyana Firova and compatriot Debbie Dunn to squeeze home in 50.79.

“The time wasn’t great but it wasn’t about the time today. It was a great field and it was more difficult than yesterday’s race,” said Felix.

There was a surprise in the women’s 100m, with American favourite Carmelita Jeter finishing runner-up in a race won by Marshevet Myers in 11.01. Jeter crossed at 0.05sec.