Claus was favoured after twice breaking the world record at the German Olympic trials. Mary Bignal (GBR) led the qualifiers with 6.33, but fouled twice in the final before producing a safe but short 6.01 for ninth place. After three rounds Claus (6.18) and reigning champion Krzesińska (6.17) were led by Krepkina, co-holder of the 100m world record, with 6.22. The compact (1.59/58kg) Ukrainian cemented the gold medal with her fourth round jump of 6.37. Krzesińska jumped 6.25 and then 6.27 to win the silver. The winner was competing in her third Olympics – she was a mem-ber of the USSR 4x100 team which finished fourth in 1952-56-60. Her winning jump was the second best of all-time.