Felix Sanchez of the Dominican Republic recaptured the Olympic 400 metres hurdles title on Monday at the age of 34, eight years after he first won it, but other great champions lost their crowns in an emotional night at the London Games. Sanchez was convulsed with sobs and tears streamed down his face as he stood on the victor's podium after holding off Michael Tinsley of the United States.
"No one expected this. A lot of people said I should retire but I stuck with it. They'll all be celebrating now," said Sanchez, who was shattered when his grandmother Lillian died during the Beijing Olympics. After his victory, he took out a picture of her from his name label and kissed it. America's Angelo Taylor, 33, was thwarted in his attempt to become the first man to win three titles in the event after gold in 2000 and 2008. He could only manage fifth.