ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É

AT THE 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, Grant Holloway of the United States was the overwhelming favourite to win gold in the men's 110-metres hurdles. He was upset by Jamaica's Hansle Parchment.

Going into the Games, the American was in top form after clocking a personal best 12.81 seconds, just one hundredth of a second outside the world record of 12.80, and was seen as a cinch for the gold medal.

However, in a major surprise, Parchment came with a late burst at the final barrier to win the gold medal despite going into the competition with a modest 13.07 time.

It is the same story going into this month's Games as Holloway, the three-time World champion, is again the overwhelming favourite for gold as he is the world leader with 12.86. He has been unbeaten all season, and he will be hoping to call on his lightning early speed to push him all the way.

Parchment has made limited appearances in the event due to injury. His best going into Paris is a third-place finish of 13.19 at the National Championships. He is ranked 18th on the world top list and will have to reproduce his Tokyo form to get among the medals.

National champion Rasheed Broadbell and runner-up Orlando Bennett, who both clocked 13.18 to be jointly ranked 15th in the world, are the other Jamaicans in the event. Like Parchment, injury has also forced Broadbell to make limited appearances on the track, and he will have to produce something special to be among the medals. Bennett has lost his form a bit and has struggled at recent overseas meets.

The United States will be well represented in the event. In addition to Holloway, they have the next two top-ranked athletes in Freddie Crittenden, who has a best of 12.93, and Daniel Roberts with 12.96.

The Americans are the only runners under 13 seconds in the event going into Paris, and they will be hoping for a sweep of the medals. However, Parchment knows how to perform on the big stage, and following his silver at the World Championships in Budapest last year, he could be waiting for this big occasion to get it right.

Lorenzo Simonelli of Italy, with a season's best of 13.05, and Rachid Muratake of Japan with 13.07, and home boy Sasha Zhoya with a best of 13.15 will be hoping a to spoil the American party and put themselves in medal contention.

Holloway, however, should go all the way and win his first Olympic title and should lead an American sweep in the event.

TOP THREE

1. Grant Holloway (US)

2. Daniel Roberts (US)

3. Freddie Crittenden (US)