Americans cruise as Sanchez loses his 'Superman' tag

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

BEIJING(AFP) — Felix Sanchez's reign as Olympic champion came to a humiliating end here on Friday as he went out in the first round of the 400 metres hurdles.

The 30-year-old Dominican Republic hurdler - a two-time world champion - trailed in fifth in his heat, well behind the winner and current world champion Kerron Clement of the United States.

Sanchez, runner-up to Clement in last year's world final, sank to his knees in disbelief on crossing the line - having recorded the fourth slowest time of the 25 who finished the first round and beating home just Papua New Guinea's Mowen Boino - his nickname of 'Superman' well and truly a thing of the past.

His despair was in stark contrast to the star-studded American trio, who all sailed through their first test....