Leading contenders were world record holder Gisolf (1.62), together
with Didriksen and Shiley who had jumped 1.60 in the US Trials.
Shiley and Didriksen left the opposition at 1.62 and both cleared a
world record 1.65 at the first attempt, Shiley with her scissors style, and
Didriksen with the western roll. At 1.67 both failed, though Didriksen
cleared the bar but clipped the upright. Shiley then cleared 1.67 in the
jump-off and was matched by Didriksen. At this juncture the officials
decided that Didriksen was jumping head-first over the bar, which was
then illegal, and her 1.67 clearance was ruled a miss. Didriksen later
claimed that she had not varied her style all day.