A month before the Games, Gummel improved Chizhova’s world
record by 20cm to 18.87, but the European Champion was still regard-
ed as the one to beat. Gummel opened with 18.53, while Chizhova
reached 18.19, which would be her best of the day. The biggest surprise
of the round came with Lange’s throw, the second-longest ever at
18.78. Gummel then broke the world record in round 3 with 19.07, and
then shattered her new record with 19.61 in the fifth round. Lange had
four throws beyond the best of Chizhova, while Gummel’s full series
averaged 18.66, one centimetre less than the ratified world record.