He ran well enough in Europe that summer to trade in the Corsica for a 2003 Impala — used, but still a major upgrade that made him feel like he was "styling and profiling." When the transmission went bad in the Impala this year, the Denver East High School graduate bought himself a new Jaguar. And on Sunday, Oliver went from zero to Beijing in 12.95 seconds.

Having already posted three of the fastest five times in the world this year, Oliver made his first Olympic team at Hayward Field, where his mother, Brenda Chambers, competed in the 1980 Olympic Trials...

"I just wanted to be in the top three," Oliver said. "Whether it's first, second or third, the wheels touch down the same time at Beijing International Airport. I'm just glad I was blessed enough to get the win."

Oliver had to make up some ground at the end of his race but finished .05 of a second ahead of two-time Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell. World championships bronze medalist David Payne was third, .30 behind Oliver.

"It was just a lot of excitement," Oliver said of seeing his name ahead of theirs on the video screen. "I felt like I could have run a 400 after that. I'm just glad to be joined by Payne and Terrence. They're two of the best. I just want to get a medal like they already have. I'm trying to go to a place they've already been."