One thing was clear entering the 2016 Olympic Trials, there was one opportunity for Devon Allen to shine and his performance led to the signature moment of the Trials.
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There is no doubt that the biggest moment of the 2012 Olympic Trials in Eugene was the feat of Decathalete Ashton Eaton. His then World Record setting performance propelled him to London where he would compete for and take the gold medal. He returns this year looking to go for back to back gold in the event.
Is was clear from the beginning of the Olympic Trials in 2016 that one athlete in particular would stand out from the rest, if his performance was up to par. Devon Allen plays two sports for the University of Oregon and came back from a knee injury to the football field in 2015 for a solid return season. It was Track and Field where he excelled from his injury to make a name for himself in 2016, as he did in 2014 winning the NCAA Championship for the 110 Meter Hurdles.
Allen would have time to wait before he competed on Day 8, but from the beginning till the end was the highlight of the 2016 Olympic Trials. If he faltered, sure there were some big moments with multiple Oregon athletes in the Semi Finals for key races on both the Men’s and Women’s side, but Devon Allen was the perfect story with the best possible ending and it was a great finish.
DEVON ALLEN 🔥
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 10, 2016
He wins the men's 110m hurdles with a blazing 13.03! More highlights: https://t.co/s8sasnBSYw https://t.co/LuPeshQnvV
Devon Allen not only ran a season best at 13.03 seconds. He has also never lost a race in the 110 Meter Hurdles. NEVER. His excitement was genuine in the final. As he crossed the finish line – he kept going into the stands to find his family. In the midst of not knowing beyond first who was heading to Rio with him, three athletes stood on the track staring at each other as they looked up at the board.
Ronnie Ash and Jeff Porter tied at 13.21 and Aries Merritt crossed the line at 13.22. From the main stage Porter told the crowd, “No one really knew what was going on. We were all looking at each other(waiting for the times) and Devon’s in the stands.” In the end, Ash and Porter will head to Rio with Allen.
The ten days of the Trials saw eleven overall from the US heading to the Olympics. Several other former Oregon Ducks have been added to the list, which now is at fifteen. Included is the wife of Ashton Eaton, Brianne Thiesen-Eaton who will compete for Team Canada in the Heptathalon.
Even though Allen, and other Oregon athletes have made it to Rio, his parents have setup a GoFundMe page to help get his family there. The goal, according to Comcast Sportsnet Northwest is to raise $15,000 to cover transportation, hotel, and meals in Rio.
Next: Ariana Washington Added To Team USA Relay Team
The 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio De Janeiro begin on August 5th.