Finally, the American men have won the gold medal in a track and field event! In a tightly contested 110 meter hurdles final, American Aries Merritt crossed the finish line in first place with a time of 12.92 seconds, a personal best.

Merritt, who burst on the scene this year after changing the step pattern during the start of his race, broke a 16-year American gold medal drought in the 110-meter hurdles.

American Jason Richardson, 26, crossed in 13.04, while Hansle Parchment got there in 13.12, good for a Jamaican record and for a bronze.

Meanwhile, American Allyson Felix captured her first gold medal in her speciality, the 200-meters. Felix destroyed the talented field in a blazing 21.88, vaulting her into the conversation of greatest American female track and field star of all-time.

America’s fastest woman Carmelita Jeter came in third place with a time of 22.41, almost edging out two-time Olympic 100-meter champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who won the silver in 22.09.

Now, for Jeter and Felix, it’s on to the 4×100, where they’ll lead a strong team that looks to avenge an embarrassing loss at the 2008 Beijing Olympics when they botched a baton pass.