'Black girl magic' gives U.S. hurdles sweep

Brianna Rollins celebrates winning the gold medal with silver medallist Nia Ali and bronze medallist Kristi Castlin, all of USA in the women's 100m hurdles. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Like many black American women, Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin have faced a good few hurdles of the metaphorical kind in their lives.

On Wednesday at the Rio Olympics, though, they successfully traversed 10 very physical barriers - 33 inches of polycarbonate and metal - to give the United States gold, silver and bronze in the 100 metres hurdles.