Carl Lewis legal best 8.87m -0.2, Dietmar Haaf legal best 8.01m -0.1, Vladimir Ochkan legal best 5.89 -0.1.
Bob Beamon’s world record of 8.90 finally fell – but not to newlycrowned 100m record holder Lewis. Instead, Mike Powell not only set new record figures, but became the first man to beat Lewis since 1981.
The qualifying round indicated that something special might happen in the event when Lewis had a narrow foul of around 8.80. He followed up with 8.56, the best qualifying mark ever.
The three Americans – Lewis, Powell and Myricks – were favoured to take all the medals in the final. Powell was first of these to jump, managing just 7.85. Myricks fouled but Lewis produced a superb championship record of 8.68. Round two: Powel
lleapt 8.54 yet looked most disappointed. Myricks moved into third place with 8.20 and Lewis fouled. Round three: European Champion Dietmar Haaf’s 8.22w put him into the bronze medal position. Powell managed 8.29 then Lewis propelled himself to a
magnificent personal best of 8.83w. Round four: Powell leapt about 8.80, only to see the red flag raised. Myricks moved ahead of Haaf. Lewis then improved to a stunning 8.91. The magical figure of 8.90 had been beaten at last, but the following win
dwas over the limit at 2.9.
An aggressive Powell finally clicked in the fifth round, landing clearly near to nine metres. The white flag was raised, and a legal wind speed (0.3) flashed up onto the scoreboard along with a smiling face denoting a valid jump. After a suspensefu
lpause there were plenty more smiles when Powell’s jump was confirmed at 8.95. All eyes were on Lewis and he responded fantastically – but unsuccessfully – with legal efforts of 8.87 and 8.84.
“This is a a dream come true,” said Powell. “Honestly, I thought Carl would beat me in the last jump. I have conditioned myself for so long to see him come from behind and beat me. I thought he would jump nine metres.”
Lewis said: “It was a great competition for me, and even greater for Mike. He had just one great jump, the best jump of his life, but that’s all it takes in the long jump.”
Scientific analysis showed that the winner actually leapt 8.98 including a toe-to-plasticine distance measured at 3cm.