Women Javelin Throw Athletics X Olympic Games Los Angeles, United States 1932 - Sunday, 31st July - Gold Medal: Mildred "Babe" Didrikson, United States
Didriksen became the first woman to win medals in running, throwing
and jumping disciplines in the 1932 Games. The javelin came first, and
Didriksen won with her first round throw; her hand slipped off the grip
as she threw, and it flew lower than usual and landed at a lifetime best
of 43.68 (rounded down from the measured 43.69). Didriksen damaged
her shoulder with the throw and did not come close to the winning
mark for the rest of the afternoon. Gindele, Braumüller and Fleischer
had all thrown beyond 44m earlier in the season, and the two Germans
came within a metre of Didriksen, Braumüller coming up short by only 18cm.