Aug. 18, 2008

BEIJING - Former South Carolina hurdler Tiffany Ross-Williams has advanced to compete in Wednesday 400-meter hurdles final in her first Olympic Games. The 2008 American champion is the first Gamecock track and field athlete to compete for a medal at these Olympic Games.

Ross-Williams qualified for the final after running a 54.99 in the semifinal round early Monday to place third in her heat and ninth overall. She ran a 55.51 in Sunday's preliminary round to place first in her heat and seventh overall.

"My coach wanted me to run a good technical race," Ross-Williams said. "I was able to do that. I'm trying to peak at the right time. Everything is coming together at the right time. I trust my coach. I'm just following his plan."

Another former Gamecock and a medal favorite in the 110-meter hurdles, Terrence Trammell's bid for his third consecutive Olympic medal ended when he was not able to finish his preliminary race. The two-time Olympic silver medalist pulled his hamstring after the first hurdle.