High Jump: Final Frames Of the Olympic Games

Frames Of the Games From the expanses of the running track to the confines of the hardwood court and the diving platform, the world's top athletes produce a bumper crop of new records -- and some stun

Bulgaria's Stefka Kostadinova, world record holder in the women's high jump (6 ft. 10 1/2 in.), was a cinch for a gold medal. By the time the height reached 6 ft. 6 in., just three other women were still in the competition. When the bar went to 6 ft. 7 in., only American Louise Ritter was challenging her. At 6 ft. 8 in., both Kostadinova and Ritter jumped three times and missed, leaving the gold medal to be decided by a jump-off. Kostadinova in the first try knocked down the bar with her trailing heels. Next the American eked over, and...

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