History of hurdles

Answer 1

Americans won the first five 110-meter hurdles events, through 1912. U.S. hurdlers also won the initial five Olympic championships in the 400-meter hurdles, an event first run in 1900. In 1928, however, South African Sydney Atkinson prevailed in the 110-meter hurdles.

The two major hurdle races for men appeared in the mid-19th century in England. Around 1830, hurdle races of 100 yards were run over heavy wooden barriers. The distance was extended to 110 meters in 1888. The elongated hurdle race at 400 meters was introduced around 1860 in Oxford. Runners jumped over 12 heavy wooden barriers that were spaced equal distances apart. The 110-meter hurdles were introduced as an Olympic Games race in 1896, just after the heavy, solid hurdles were replaced with lighter-weight hurdles that could be knocked over forwards. The 400-meter hurdles became an Olympic sport for men in 1900. by megan thomson