O’Rourke continues progress by setting new national record

DERVAL O’ROURKE broke her national 100m hurdles record with a 12.92 secs run for fourth place at last night’s Grand Prix meeting in Lausanne with a promise of better to come at Friday night’s Golden Gala meeting in Rome.

At the same meeting, China’s Liu Xiang smashed the 110m hurdles world record with a time of 12.88.

The Cork athlete, who set the national record at 12.96 secs in 2003, was foot perfect on a night that was perfect for athletics in the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise. French all-rounder Eunice Barber won in 12.80 secs from Glory Alozie, the Spanish champion, 12.82 and Danielle Carruthers (USA), 12.91.