A BRIEF MOMENT OF BRILLIANCE defines many athletes. The ability to stand the test of time, to remain atop the elite in a sport not just once but over a career, is what separates the good from the great.

Few track and field athletes have been on the medal podium as consistently as Terrence Trammell.

One of the most decorated Americans of his generation, Terrence travels to Beijing looking to cement his legacy as one of the best ever by capturing gold in his third Olympic games.

An Olympic Dream

Born on November 23, 1978, Terrence knew early on that he had been blessed with speed. A football was never far from his grasp, and he dreamed of becoming an NFL superstar.

It was in 1996, though, that Terrence -- son of Ann and Leonard -- found his dreams suddenly changed. That year, the Olympic Games were held in his home city of Atlanta, and they captivated the 17 year-old. 

A new vision was born.

"It just inspired me to really want to look into it...I still wanted to play football as well, but it definitely made me want to pursue track and field."

The man responsible for his newfound love for track was American Allen Johnson, who Terrence watched dominate the field in the 110-meter hurdles.

A year later, Terrence would meet his hero face-to-face.

Heading to SC

Recruited by South Carolina track and field coach Curtis Frye, Terrence jumped at the chance to attend the school where Allen Johnson trained year-round.

"At the time, I did want the chance to play football, but felt I could be in the 2000 Olympics...I felt coming to South Carolina gave me the chance to train with Allen Johnson and learn firsthand from the perennial No. 1 in my event."

Terrence was both taught and inspired by Johnson, and after a second-place finish at the NCAA outdoor championships, TT went on an unprecedented run of victories, winning back-to-back NCAA championships, and earning a gold medal at the World University Games in 1999.

By the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, the pupil was now the tutor's main competition for the gold.

"I always considered him a big brother and what-not," Terrence said. "To think what he's been able to show me, not only his experience, but him. He's more than Allen Johnson. His personality is such that he does not make himself a grand superstar. He is who he is."

A Medal in Athens

Trammell not only beat his training partner -- he beat every sprinter but one to the finish line in Sydney, earning a silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles.

In the years that followed that first Olympic Games, Terrence continued to run his way to the medal podium. He wonin the 60-meter hurdles at the World Indoor Championships and the U.S. National Championships in 2001. He repeated as National Champion in 2002, and maintained his championship-caliber level in the 110 meters, earning silver medals at the World Championships and World Athletics Final in 2003.

By 2004 and the Athens Olympics, gold appeared to be in Terrence's future. While he raced well in Athens, earning a second silver medal, he was upset by a new rival from China: the now legendary Liu Xiang

Still, Terrence believed that his best races were still to come, and he proved as much, remaining at the top of the world rankings for four more years, and keeping his eyes set on the 2008 Beijing Games and that elusive Olympic gold medal.

An Epic Beijing Showdown

The Olympic 110-meter hurdle finals will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting showdowns of the games. Terrence will square off against his Xiang, the defending Olympic champion, and Dayron Robles of Cuba, currently the world record holder in the 110-meter hurdles.

"He is tough guy to beat, mainly because of his confidence," Trammell said of Xang in a recent interview with NBC. "Once you've attained a certain level of success, it's hard for your confidence to come down, unless it's forced to come down. I think the fact that I'll be focusing on me, and not him, will be enough to intimidate him."

When asked about the prospect of upsetting Xiang, Terrence showed some of the trademark confidence that has led him to so many medal podiums over the course of his storied career.

"I'm excited about it, I'm looking forward to it. This may be one of the biggest upsets since Rocky beat the Russian in Russia."

Beyond Beijing

Whether gold is in store for Terrence in Beijing or not, his career is far from over. With no signs of slowing down, he will look to maintain the consistency that has marked his brilliant career for many years to come, his sights set on his fourth Olympic games.

"In 2000, I was just hoping to make the team," he said. "Now, I figure, you know, I could run until I'm tired and old. That ain't now. I can't say when that will be."