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Stephanie Hightower has always loved the hurdles. 

A month ago, Hightower _ a former U.S. hurdler herself, who also serves on track's international governing body, the IAAF  _ asked to present the medals for the women's 100 hurdles at the Olympics. The answer was `Yes.'

``I told the hurdlers at the team meeting that I need all three of them on the podium,'' said Hightower, who also is president of USA Track and Field.

 

 

What the boss wants, the boss gets. 

Hightower was there for the medals ceremony Thursday when Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin received gold, silver and bronze. It was the first U.S. sweep in the event and the seventh American sweep in the history of Olympic track.

AP Photo/Martin Meissner

And the medals ceremony was, quite fittingly, an all-American affair.

``Nia, Bri and Kristi all told me they heard what I said,'' Hightower said.