Former World Junior champion Fiona May was not put off by the changing wind conditions which
varied from 1.1 headwinds to assisting winds of 4.3. The Italian, who represented Britain
until 1993, opened with 6.93, a distance no-one else would better. In the final round she
improved to 6.98w despite hitting her head on the marker board beside the pit.
It was a big upset that Drechsler and Joyner-Kersee – winners of the past three world titles
– did not win a medal between them. JJK, troubled by ankle and Achilles problems, only managed 6.74w
for sixth place. Drechsler was in form and opened the contest with a foul further than seven metres.
But she fouled again and her third leap of 6.64w was two centimetres short of eighth place.