American Brittney Reese has claimed gold in the women's long jump event, despite registering only two clean jumps from her allotted six.

Reese, 25, emerged triumphant with a winning jump of 7.12m. Elena Sokolova, whose best jump reached 7.07m, claimed silver, while Reese's compatriot Janay Deloach finished third with a best of 6.89m.

Brittney Reese
Brittney Reese of the U.S. holds her national flag after winning the women's long jump final during the London 2012 Olympic Games Reuters

Reese is the first American to win her event since Jackie Joyner-Kersee in 1988. Her success completed a profitable evening for the American track and field team, who emerged with three gold medals.

"It's a surreal moment. I got very emotional - you do when you're representing your country. My mom and aunt are here, so this is a great moment for me and my family," she was quoted as saying.

Allyson Felix Takes Gold in Women's 200m

Reese's compatriot Allyson Felix won in the women's 200m final, with a time of 21.88, to claim her first Olympic gold - having won silver in the same event at both the 2004 and the 2008 Games.

Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce took silver with a personal best of 22.09, and American Carmelita Jeter won bronze in 22.14. Two-time Olympic champion Veronica Campbell-Brown of Jamaica finished outside the medals, taking fourth place in a time of 22.38.

"It has been a long time coming. I've waited so long for this moment and I am just overjoyed. There are so many people I love here tonight and I am just overjoyed to share it with them," BBC quoted Felix as saying.

Allyson Felix
Allyson Felix of the U.S. celebrates after she won gold in the women's 200m final during the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium Reuters

Aries Merritt Completes Gold Hat-Trick for USA

Aries Merritt's gold in the men's 110m hurdles event completed a hat-trick of top finishes on the night for the Americans. Merritt won in 12.92s, a personal best, beating compatriot Jason Richardson (13.04s) and Jamaica's Hansle Parchment (13.12s; a national record) into silver and bronze places respectively.

"I trained for this, very intensely. I was trying to treat this as much like a practice session as possible, where I have no pressure. The gold means everything. This is a dream come true," BBC quoted Merritt as saying.

Aries Merritt
Aries Merritt of the U.S. celebrates after winning the men's 110m hurdles final during the London 2012 Olympics Games Reuters

Team GB's Lawrence Clarke finished just outside the medal places with a time of 13.39s and defending champion Dayron Robles of Cuba was declared disqualified after he was forced off with an injury.

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