The Top 10 Olympic Hurdlers of All Time
By Jayson Panganiban July 25, 2024 09:19
The Olympic Games, a grand stage for displaying human athletic prowess, has seen countless athletes leap beyond physical barriers and the boundaries of what was thought possible.
From the 110m men's hurdles to the 100m women's races, these competitions have been the backdrop for moments of triumph, heartbreak, and sheer awe-inspiring performances. This article pays homage to the 10 most outstanding Olympic hurdlers of all time, whose names have become synonymous with excellence, resilience, and unmatched speed.
1. Edwin Moses (USA)
- Years Competed: 1976-1988
- Olympic Medal Record: 2 gold (1976 and 1984)
Moses, widely considered the greatest hurdler in Olympic history, was the American who beat in the women's 400m hurdles for almost ten years, winning gold at both Olympics.
His sustained success across multiple Olympic cycles set Moses apart from so many greats. He won Olympic gold in 1976 at just 20 and then went on an incredible run over almost a decade, winning his next 122 races. He remains arguably the greatest Olympian of all time, having been one the most consistently successful athletes in global sport over 16 years.
2. Renaldo Nehemiah (USA)
- Years Competed: 1978-1983
- Olympic Medal Record: No Olympic medals (boycotted 1980 Olympics)
Although Renaldo Nehemiah never competed in the Olympics, he is still regarded as one of the greatest hurdlers ever. His best time of 12.93 seconds came during his third world record attempt. That mark would still stand today, nearly four decades later, although Wilson claimed he could have run considerably quicker.
3. Roger Kingdom (USA)
- Years Competed: 1984-1992
- Medal Collection Olympics: 2 gold (1984, 88)
The 1980s would see Roger Kingdom take the mantle of hurdling dominance from Edwin Moses. It confirmed the American as one of his sport's greats, having become the third man to win Olympic 110m hurdles gold medals four years apart at Los Angeles 1984 and Seoul 1988.
In addition to his Olympic success, Kingdom also claimed gold at the World Championships in 1987 and again in 1991, further cementing him as that generation's dominant hurdler. With his athleticism, technical skill, and unyielding desire to win for those who could coach him out of ticket lines, he became one of the most powerful figures ever in sports.
4. Dayron Robles (Cuba)
- Years Competed: 2004-2012
- Olympic medal record: Gold 2008 Beijing Team Silver 2012 London.
Dayron Robles was the man in hurdles around the turn of this decade when he won Olympic gold at Beijing 2008 and broke the world record for the men's 110m hurdles with a blistering race time of 12.87 seconds.
Robles faced many struggles and controversies throughout his career, including being disqualified at the 2011 World Championships. He continued contending for gold in an event often decided by one hurdler blocking out another.
5. Aries Merritt (USA)
- Years Competed: 2008-2016
- Olympic Medal Record Gold: 2012; Bronze: 2016
What makes Aries Merritt so unique is his incredible story of will, survival, and determination. After overcoming huge personal obstacles and physical handicaps, he is the best at what he does. Both his Olympic title and the record he managed to break testify to extraordinary class but also confirm an indestructible will to win.
6. Gail Devers (USA)
- Years Competed: 1988-2004
- Olympic Medals: 3 x gold (1992, 1996), bronze (2000)
Few hurdlers in Olympic history are as decorated over the short hurdles, if any, as rival Gail Devers. Between 1992 and 1996, the American won two Olympic gold medals in the event to establish herself as one of its all-time greats.
The combination of her blazing speed, power, and technical aptitude fueled Devers' success. Her hurdling technique reflected her ability to maintain race rhythm and form over the barriers, enabling her to constantly gain ground on those around her. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Devers' triumph and defense of her gold medal in thrilling fashion go down as an all-time great Olympic hurdle highlight.
7. Fanny Blankers-Koen (NED)
- Years Competed: 1948
- Olympic Medal Record: 4x gold (1948)
One of the greatest female athletes ever, Fanny Blankers-Koen, ruled over the 1948 London Olympics with four gold medals in 100m, 200m, and women's high hurdles (80m), and for her contribution to their national victory in a delayed race.
Blankers-Koen's achievements were made all the more extraordinary in light of the social stigmas faced by female athletes post-war. Running on the track at 30 and being a mother to two young kids, she proved everyone wrong with her form at this stage.
8. Jasmine Camacho-Quinn (Puerto Rico)
- Years Competed: 2016-present
- Olympic Medal: 1 gold (2020)
Competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Jasmine Camacho-Quinn was as young and energetic on the scene as ever, winning bronze in the 100m hurdles and being the mere girl she still technically is. But at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, she solidified herself as one of the greatest hurdlers ever.
Puerto Rico's superstar sprinter blew the 100m hurdles field in Tokyo, smashing an Olympic record of 12.26 seconds on her way to gold.
9. Back Brianna McNeal (USA)
- Years Competed: 2012-present
- Olympic Medal Record: 1 Gold (2016), 1 Silver (2020)
The American sprinter took home the gold in the 100m hurdles at last summer's Rio Olympics, solidifying her place as one of America's best hurdlers currently competing.
Her speed, strength, and technical prowess have always been the foundation of McNeal's success. The most consistent part of her technique is how she approaches the hurdles and then speeds off over them so that others just about cannot keep up with her.
10. Lolo Jones (USA)
- Years Competed: 2008-2016
- Olympic medals: None
Though Lolo Jones never received an Olympic medal, her legacy within the hurdles is that of a bonafide icon. The American sprinter was a leading figure in the 100m hurdles during the late 2000s and early 2010s while also competing over both indoor distances, where she won gold at the World Indoor Championships for each of those years.
A rare combination of quickness and power marked her hurdling. Unmatched in how well she held her shape, stride strength, and form over the hurdles, she is considered one of the most gifted hurdlers ever.
Through their dedication, skill, and spirit, these athletes have transcended the track's confines to inspire a new generation of competitors. They have redefined the essence of hurdling, demonstrating that the obstacles in front of us can always be surmounted with enough determination. Their legacies serve as a beacon for future hopefuls, illuminating the path to Olympic glory and beyond.
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