The American Devon Allen signed this Sunday in New York the third best mark in history in the 110 meter hurdles, after winning the USATF NYC Grand Prix meeting with a time of 12.84, just four hundredths of the world record of his compatriot Aries Merritt, achieved in 2012. Allen beat Gran Holloway, who stayed at 13.06. Holloway also has the second best world record of all time, with 12.81.

The funny thing is that Allen's future in athletics is more than doubtful, after last April he signed a contract to play with the Philadelphia Eagles in the American football league. The new facet of him as a receiver in the NFL could prevent him from continuing with the training on the tartan.

Allen, 27, played football in college but ended up choosing track. He was fifth at the Rio 2016 Games and fourth at Tokyo 2020, just one step away from the medals. "Today I could have broken the record," Allen told NBC after the race. “Four hundredths is only four thousandths of a second per hurdle, which is very little. We will have to wait for another race."

Devon Allen's goal is to compete in the Eugene World Cup next July and then focus on American football.