By Steve Marcinkowski and Dave McCauley, RunMichigan.com

August 12, 2012

The 2012 London Olympic Games were one of the most successful in Team USA history. Not only was the State of Michigan well represented, but athletes from across the country came together to produce some incredibly impressive performances.

Congratulations to all of Team USA, especially those track and field athletes who live, train or grew up in Michigan.

Below is a list provided by the USATF, highlighting top American athletes and their performances from the London games.

• Allyson Felix is the first woman since Florence Griffith-Joyner in 1988 to win three gold medals at a single Olympic Games
• 1st time U.S. women won 2 medals in the long jump
• The .55 improvement in the women’s 4x100m relay world record (41.37 to 40.82) was the largest drop in that event in the modern era.
• Will Claye’s bronze in the LJ and silver in the TJ marks the first time since 1936 that any man has medaled in both jumps at the Games and the first time an American has done it since Meyer Prinstein in 1904
• 2012 marks the fifth time the U.S. has gone 1-2 in the decathlon; the last time was 1956
• Ashton Eaton’s 10.35 in the 100m is an Olympic decathlon record
• Galen Rupp’s silver medal in the men’s 10,000m is the first medal by an American since Billy Mills’ gold in 1964
• Leo Manzano’s silver medal in the men’s 1,500m is the first medal by an American since Jim Ryun’s silver in 1968
• Sanya Richards-Ross is only the second U.S. woman to win the 400 at the Games. The two-medal effort by Richards-Ross and DeeDee Trotter in the 400 is the second for the U.S. in that event in Olympic history
• The two-medal effort by Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter in the 200 is the second for the U.S. in that event in Olympic history.
• The U.S. won multiple mens’ medals in distances 1,500m and above for the first time since 1968
• Best U.S. team finish in the men’s 1,500 since 1936 (2nd, 4th)
• Brigetta Barrett’s silver in the women’s high jump is the first U.S. medal since Louise Ritter won gold in 1988.

U.S.-best performances at Olympic Games (18)

• *Galen Rupp, men’s 10,000m - 27:30.90
• *Trevor Barron, men’s 20km race walk - 1:22:46
• *Dawn Harper, women’s 100m hurdles (tie) - 12.37
• *Matt Centrowitz, men’s 1,500m (run in the semifinals), 3:34.90
• Leo Manzano, men’s 1,500m - 3:34.79 (surpassing Centrowitz’s semifinal time)
• Maria Michta, women’s 20K walk - 1:32:27
• Justin Gatlin, men’s 100m - 9.79
• Duane Solomon, men’s 800m - 1:42.82
• Aries Merritt, men’s 110m hurdles - 12.92
• Men’s 4x100m relay - 37.38 in prelims
• Women’s 4x100m relay - 41.64 in prelims
• Women’s 4x100m relay - 40.82
• Men’s 4x100m relay - 37.04
• Brigetta Barrett, women’s HJ - 2.03m/6-8
• Ashton Eaton, men’s decathlon - 8,869 pts.
• Lashinda Demus, women’s 400m hurdles - 52.77
• Amber Campbell, women’s hammer - 69.93m/229-5
• Brittany Borman, women’s javelin - 59.27m/194-5

Records set at 2012 Olympic Games by Team USA

• World Record - Women’s 4x100m relay (40.82)
• American records - Men’s 4x100m relay (37.38), Men’s 4x100m relay (37.04), Women’s 4x100m relay (40.82)

Previous daily recaps from the 2012 London Olympics, highlighting those track and field athletes with connections to Michigan can be found below

More Medals for the USA, new World Record for Jamaica's 4x100

Posted Friday, August 11, 2012 - 4:24 PM (EST)

Highlights from Saturday's finals at the 2012 London Olympics:

• Women's High Jump: Silver medal for Brigetta Barrett of the USA in a personal best of 2.03 meters (6'8")
• Men's 5000 Meters: Gold - Mo Farah, GBR (13:41) 4th Place - Bernard Lagat, USA, 7th Place - Galen Rupp, USA
• Women's 800 Meters: Gold - Mariya Savinova, RUS (1:56.19) 5th Place - Alysia Johnson Montano (1:57.93)
• Women's 4x400 Meters: Gold - USA (3:16.87)
• Men's 4x100 Meters: Gold - Jamaica (36.84) * World Record, Silver - USA (37.04) *National Record
  
  The final event of the 2012 London Olympics will take place at 6:00 AM EST on Sunday the 12th as the men's Marathon will be held. Running for the USA will be Abdi Abdirahman, Ryan Hall and Meb Keflezighi. US Women 4x100 sets world record, takes gold - former Detroiter Williams shares in glory
  
  Posted Friday, August 11, 2012 - 2:28 PM (EST)
  
  The best performance from the USA Track and Field team on Friday, August 10 at the 2012 London Olympic Games undoubtedly came from the women's 4x100 relay team.
  
  The U.S. team of Tianna Madison, Bianca Knight, Allyson Felix and Carmelita Jeter blazed to the new WR of 40.82, crushing the former record of 41.37, set by Germany in 1985.
  
  Former Detroiter Lauryn Williams, who anchored the US team in the qualifying heat will also receive a gold medal for her accomplishments and contribution to the team.
  
  Track and field has wrapped up for our Michigan competitors. Big races still remain on the track though as Saturday sees the finals in the men's 5000 meters, women's 800 meters, men's 4x100 and women's 4x400.
  
  USA Women's team quotes:
  
  Carmelita Jeter, women’s 4x100 relay: “It feels great. We ran as a team. Everyone ran a great leg and we got that stick around and a gold medal and a world record.”
  
  Allyson Felix, women’s 4x100 relay: “It’s a relief – a joy. We went into it so comfortable. We were laughing. We were very comfortable in practice with each other.”
  
  Tianna Madison, women’s 4x100 relay: “I’m not surprised (on the gold medal) based on the first round and clean baton passes.”
  
  Bianca Knight, women’s 4x100m relay: “I’m happy to be part of a world-record and gold-medal relay in my first Olympics. After the first round, I knew the Olympic record was possible. We went out there and executed and got a world record.”
  
  Grand Blanc's Gall's Olympic run ends in 800 semis, US Women's 4x100 post fastest qualifying time
  
  Posted Friday, August 10, 2012 - 10:32 AM (EST)
  
  Only two state of Michigan runners competed Thursday. One of these runners was Grand Blanc’s Geena Gall. Gall, a former Michigan Wolverine, was vying for one of eight positions up for grabs in order to advance to the 800 meter run finals being held on Saturday the 11th.
  
  Gall finished the race in 2:05.76 as she faded in the final lap to take eighth place in her heat. Though she was shooting for a finals appearance, she had a great Olympic Games run and a solid season that ended Wednesday. Gall has been an inspiration to so many young runners not only in the state of Michigan, but across the country as well.
  
  Lauryn Williams also ran Wednesday as she assisted her fellow teammates in the women’s 4x100 meter relay. Lauryn, who lived in Detroit in her early childhood, anchored the women’s 4x100 to the fastest preliminary time of 41.64. The final for the 4x100 is scheduled for an 8:40 PM start time on Friday the 10th.
  
  Aside from Lauryn competing for team USA in the 4x100 meter relay, Friday will feature the finals in several other events. Finals will be held in the men’s pole vault and 4x400 meter relay as well as the women’s Hammer Throw, 5000 meter run and 1500 meter run.
  
  RunMichigan.com will keep you updated on the women’s 4x100 as well as several other events throughout the day.
  
  Looking for even more updates from the Olympics? Like us on Facebook! Canton's Jeff Porter bows out in 110 Hurdles, Grand Blanc's Gall moves on to 800 semis
  
  Posted Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - 9:25 PM (EST)
  
  On Wednesday August 8, Geena Gall ran in the first round of competition for the women’s 800 Meter run. Gall, who ran at Grand Blanc High School and the University of Michigan, competed in the fourth of six heats.
  
  With the top three heat places, plus the next six best times overall automatically qualifying to the semi-final round, Gall finished fourth in her heat, with a top six additional qualifying time of 2:03.85. Those semi-final heats for the women's 800 Meter will take place Thursday, starting at 2:46 PM EST. Gall will be running in lane six in heat 3.
  
  Former Michigan Wolverine Nicole (Edwards) Sifuentes competed in the semi-final round of the women’s 1500 meter run Wednesday. With the top five heat times and the next two fastest times qualifying to the final, Sifuentes ran a 4:06.33 to take eleventh in heat two.
  
  Finishing within two seconds of her personal best of 4:04.74, Sifuentes did not qualify for the final round, having missed the cut by over three seconds. This will end her attempt at an Olympic finals performance.
  
  Another former Wolverine, Canton's Jeff Porter competed Wednesday in the 110 meter Hurdles. Porter's semi-final heat was run Thursday afternoon. In order to qualify, he needed to finish top two in his heat or have one of the next two fastest times. Porter went on to finish fifth in his heat and missed the finals by nearly one-tenth of a second.
  
  Despite the finish, Porter had a tremendous season that included a diving finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials nearly one month ago and a fantastic run at an Olympic finals appearance.
  
  On Thursday, only one athlete from the state of Michigan will be competing. Geena Gall will be running in the semi-finals of the 800 meter run scheduled for 2:46 PM EST.
  
  Stay tuned to RunMichigan.com for continued highlights of the Olympic Games which will conclude on Sunday, August 12th with the men's Marathon. Nieto sixth in high jump, WIllis ninth in 1500, Tiffany (Ofili) Porter just misses out, Jeff Porter prepares for 110 Hurdle semis
  
  Posted Wednesday, August 8, 2012 - 7:10 AM (EST)
  
  Jeff Porter, former Michigan Wolverine hurdler, finished third in his qualifying heat to advance to the semi-finals on Wednesday the 8th. His time of 13.53 in heat 4 was less than 5 tenths off his fastest of the year. On Wednesday at 2:15 PM EST, Jeff will be running in lane 9 of heat 3 in the semi-final. He will be hoping to qualify for the final which will take place at 4:15 PM EST, less than 2 hours from his semi-final race.
  
  In the men’s high jump final, former Eastern Michigan Eagle Jamie Nieto went in with a season best mark of 2.31 meters. At a height of 2.29, Jamie was 1 miss away from receiving a medal. His first attempt at 2.29 was a foul, but cleared his second. Derek Drouin of Canada, Robert Grabarz of Great Britain and Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim all had cleared 2.29 on their first try. Jamie finished in 6th place and second amongst the Americans.
  
  In the women’s 100 meter hurdle semi-final, former Ypsilanti High School great Tiffany Porter, competing for Great Britain, was eight one-hundredths away from qualifying for the finals. Lolo Jones’ time of 12.71 narrowly beat tiffany’s time of 12.79. This fourth place heat finish will end Tiffany Porter’s run for an Olympic finals performance. In the 100 Meter Hurdles Final, the three American athletes finished 2-4.
  
  In the men’s 1500 meter final, New Zealand’s Nick Willis (UM) was vying for a top 3 podium finish. 1.6 seconds separated him from 3rd place. Nick ran 3:36.94 to take 9th place in the final round. This was still a tremendous performance by Nick that capped off a great season.
  
  Early on Wednesday, Geena Gall from Grand Blanc qualified for the semi-finals in the women's 800 meter run. Those semis will take place on Thursday afternoon (EST). Also on Wednesday, in the women’s 1500 meter run, Nicole (Edwards) Sifuentes will also compete. Nicole will be running in heat 2 at 2:56 PM EST.
  
  Tiffany Porter advances in 100M Hurdles, Sifuentes moves on in 1500
  
  Posted Tuesday, August 7, 2012 - 11:06 AM (EST)
  
  In Monday’s competition, only three athletes from the state participated in their respective events.
  In the women’s 100 meter hurdles, Great Britain’s Tiffany (Ofili) Porter qualified for the semi-finals. Her time of 12.79 was good for a third place finish in the first heat. Heading into Tuesday’s semi-final race, she will be competing in lane 8 of heat 2. Porter’s heat will run at 7:23 PM BST.
  
  In the women’s 1500 meter run, Nicole (Edwards) Sifuentes of Canada competed in the opening round of action Monday. Competing in heat 3, Sifuentes ran a 4:07.65 to take 7th place. Semi-final action begins Wednesday the 8th with Sifuentes toeing the line in heat 2 at 7:56 PM BST.
  
  Tia Brooks competed in the qualifying round Monday morning of the women’s shot put. Tia’s second attempt would prove to be her best. A throw of 17.72 was a mere four spots from qualifying her for the final round, which was held later in the day.
  
  Tuesday marks the opening round of the men’s 110 meter hurdles. Jeff Porter is set to compete in heat four which will begin at 10:31 AM BST. Jeff’s wife, Tiffany (Ofili) Porter will be competing in the semi-finals of the 100 meter hurdles hoping to make the final later in the evening.
  
  If Tiffany makes the finals, that race will begin at 9:00 PM BST. Also on Tuesday, Jamie Nieto will be competing in the High Jump final at 7:00 PM BST.
  
  Check out RunMichigan.com for more updates throughout competition on your state of Michigan Olympians. Like us on Facebook for additional updates. Desi starts but has to drop out of marathon, Willis and Nieto Advance
  
  Posted Sunday, August 5, 2012 - 11:17 PM (EST)
  
  In what hoped to become an amazing story of beating the odds, Desi Davila's day at the Olympic Marathon turned brief and bittersweet. Although Davila was still able to take in the experience of realizing a lifetime goal of becoming an Olympian, she also knew that due to her lingering hip flexor injury, that experience at the 2012 London Olympic Women's Marathon was most likely not going to last long.
  
  Davila, limping noticeably from the start and well back in the pack early, had to drop out of the race due to that injury. In what must have been an incredibly tough decision, she decided to give everything she possibly could in attempting to run this Olympic Marathon race.
  
  Davila reflected on her performance after the race, providing this statement by way of the USATF.
  
  “Obviously I’m coming in a little beat up and injured, and this was the first day of really testing it out on solid ground, and you don’t know what you are going to get. I made it to 2.2 [miles] which is the first loop. I could tell on the first turn that it wasn’t going to be right today. You know, you can’t fake the marathon, and that is where we get our confidence, from training and knowing what it means and training hard. All of that has been missing by running on an Alter-G for basically the last month.
  
  “I’ve been training for this race for the past three months, and I ran into a problem a month out. I’ve been training through pain and having ups and downs and highs and lows. I do feel like you have to cross the line to be an Olympian and to have that title. And I feel like I’ve earned that, obviously throughout my entire career, but the last month especially. I’ve put everything I’ve had in to getting here and hopefully getting the health and the fitness.
  
  “That was one of the hardest things getting to the start knowing that there was a really good chance I would DNF, and I’ve never done that before. I don’t really know how to do that.”
  
  We know that for both Desi and her coaching staff, how tough a time this was, so we applaud the effort that was put forth and the perseverance she showed.
  
  In other track and field action from Sunday at the Olympic Games, former University of Michigan 1500 Meter runners Nick Willis and Nate Brannen ran in the Men's 1500 Meter Semi Finals. Willis, running for New Zealand, gained automatic qualification into the 1500 finals by finishing in third place (3:34.7) in the second semi final. In that same heat, former Wolverine Nate Brannen, competing for his native Canada, was spiked and fell mid-race and was unable to recover enough to stay in contention. Brannen finished well back, out of the qualifying spots.
  
  In the men's High Jump qualifying round, former Eastern Michigan University great Jamie Nieto qualified with a jump of 2.26 meters to move on to the finals.
  
  Posted Saturday, August 4, 2012 - 11:59 AM (EST)
  
  Brannen, Willis and Alejandro advance, Ritz set for 10,000 Meters later today
  
  Track and Field got underway in London Friday, August 3rd with several preliminary events as well as finals in the women’s 10,000 meters and men’s shot put. Several athletes with state of Michigan backgrounds began their events Friday as well.
  
  Beginning with the men’s 400 meter hurdles, Eric Alejandro, former Eastern Michigan Eagle, of Puerto Rico qualified for the next round of competition. Alejandro’s time of 49.39 was good for a fourth place finish in the second heat held on Friday. The semi-final gets underway at 7:00 PM BST (2:00 PM, EST), Saturday, August 4th.
  
  Nate Brannen qualified for the 1500 meter semi-final round slated for Sunday, August 5th. Brannen, the former U of M star and current Canadian Olympian finished 5th in the second heat with a time of 3:39.95.
  
  Brannen’s former U of M teammate, Nick Willis won the third heat in the 1500. Willis’ time of 3:40.92 qualified him for Sunday’s semi-final round as he will represent his home country of New Zealand. The 1500 semi-final will begin at 8:15 BST (3:15 PM EST).
  
  Looking ahead, on Saturday afternoon, Dathan Ritzenhein, the former Rockford High School standout will be competing in the 10,000 meter finals starting at 9:15 BST (4:15 PM EST). Dathan is coming off an emotional third place finish at the Olympic Trials one month ago.
  
  RunMichigan.com will keep you updated daily on the events that our Michigan athletes compete in. Good luck to all athletes competing in the Olympic Games.