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Athletics: Oliver expects dream final
August 19, 2011
David Oliver believes the 110 metres hurdles will be one of the most exciting events at this summer's World Championships.
The American is searching for his first major gold but it's sure to be a close call in Daegu if he lines up alongside rivals Liu Xiang of China and Cuba's Dayron Robles in the final.
Little separates the star trio at the pinnacle of this event and athletics fans across the world will be hoping they all to avoid injury and safely navigate their way through the heats to set up a mouth-watering showdown on August 29.
Oliver dominated the sprint hurdles in 2010 as he went through the entire outdoor season unbeaten while this year he's the only man to go under the 13 second barrier when clocking 12.94 to beat former world and Olympic champion Liu in Eugene.
However the 29-year-old has lost his air of invincibility this summer having suffered defeats in his four other Diamond League races at the hands of Robles (twice), Liu and fellow American Jason Richardson.
Indeed, a poor start at the recent Aviva London Grand Prix cost him as he finished third behind winner Robles - the 2008 Olympic gold medallist - and Richardson but he's confident he'll be feel refreshed and ready in Daegu.
Oliver, who also feels Robles' world record of 12.87 could be at risk, said: "I've got to work on my start but there's a lot of other aspects as well. They definitely have the legs on me in that regards.
"When you have fresh legs then coming out of the blocks is a lot easier but I've got three weeks or so until the worlds to get it right.
"It's definitely going to be exciting. I think it's a tough event but I'm so glad it's being mentioned up there in the same breath as the 100 metres and the relay.
"We're going to put on a great show for the crowd.
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