All three of the 1983 World championship medallists were in Los
Angeles, but the third placer from Helsinki – Anna Verouli – missed
qualifying with 58.62, the 13th best of the initial round. Eighteen year-
old Solberg produced the first quality throw of the final – 64.52 –
which was equalled five throws later by world silver medallist
Whitbread. Her arch rival, Sanderson was next, wanting to make up for
her failure four years earlier. She launched the spear out to an Olympic
record 69.56, and the gold medal was won. World record holder Lillak
countered with a fine 69.00 cast in the second round, but she was not
in the same form as in 1983, and took no more throws. Whitbread won
the second tier GBR-FIN duel with her fifth-round 67.14 to overtake
Laaksalo’s 66.40.