Felix, Merritt bring home USA track gold

The third time was the charm for Allyson Felix in the women's 200 meter, winning Olympic gold yesterday after taking silver at the previous two Games.

She ran a good bend but with Jamaican's Veronica Campbell-Brown and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce still in medal contention, Felix lengthened her stride down the home straight for victory in 21.88 seconds.

"It's been a long time coming. I am so overjoyed," said Felix, who was runner-up to Campbell-Brown in 2004 and 2008 and lost her world title to the Jamaican last year.

Aries Merritt added to the U.S.' success, outclassing his competition in the 110-meter hurdles, finishing in 12.92 to bring home gold.

"The gold medal means everything," Merritt told reporters after his win. "It's phenomenal. To be here in this atmosphere is really special."

In the 200-meter semifinal, Usain Bolt continued to prove that he is seemingly operating on a different planet than everyone else, barely breaking into a sprint while coming in first with a 20.18 second run. He'll race in the final today, where he'll look to break his own world record.

(amNY/Reuters)