World Record: Petra Felke, East Germany 80.00m September 9, 1988 Potsdam, East Germany
Olympic Record: Petra Felke, East Germany 74.68m September 26, 1988 Seoul, South Korea
Shikolenko (67.36) and Hattestad (67.20), the athletes considered likely
to vie for the gold medal, led the qualifiers. After Sanderson opened with
63.58 in her fifth Olympics, Shikolenko took the lead with 68.26, and
was followed immediately by Renk (67.24) and Forkel (65.02). The
medallists were decided, as only Hattestad of the other medal contenders
produced a 63+ throw, and her 63.54 was not enough to take her beyond
fifth place. Forkel achieved her best throw in the fifth round with 66.86,
and supported it well with her final effort of 66.80. Renk was throwing
just before her and, with the penultimate effort of the competition, hurled
the winning throw of 68.34, to gain the narrowest Olympic javelin win
since her male compatriot Wolfermann beat Lūsis in 1972.
Qualification
Mark 62.50m. Virtual mark 60.44m. 5 Athletes passed the Mar and next Best 7 were added to Final.