In Helsinki, Fatima Whitbread led for most of the contest before being overtaken in the final round. Four years later, the tables were turned when Whitbread was the one chasing the 71.76 second-round throw of Felke. The Briton, whose participation
in the championships had been in doubt because of a shoulder injury, came close with 71.34 in the third round.
Whitbread finally got it right in the fourth round with the third best throw of all-time, 73.16. Felke, the world record holder, was next to throw and fouled. In the fifth round, Whitbread improved again to 76.64.
World Record (old model): Petra Felke-Meier, East Germany 78.90m 29.09.87 Leipzig, East Germany.
Championship Record (old model): Tiina Lilak, Finland 70.82m 13.08.83 Helsinki, Finland.