Freddie Crittenden takes full advantage of track's new repechage rule to earn place in hurdles final

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — Taking the easy road has never been the way for American hurdler Freddie Crittenden, and he certainly didn't change at the Olympics.

Crittenden advanced to the final of the 110-meter hurdles Wednesday, three days after he intentionally exploited a new “repechage” rule in track that gives runners and hurdlers a second chance if they don't advance through the first round.

Nursing an adductor injury heading into Paris, he jogged through the 10 hurdles in his opening round, essentially giving himself an extra day to nurse the injury.

It worked. He's feeling better — he's wearing plenty of tape on his right leg — and ready to race even if he's a little tired.