Long Jump, Women

As in the high jump, World Record holder Fanny Blankers-Koen had elected not to compete in this event. She feared her programme would be too full – the long jump was held on the same day as the hurdles final – and restricted herself to four competitions. Other medal contenders were also absent. Japan’s Rie Yamauchi, who had cleared 6 metres in 1947, was barred from competing because of her country’s involvement in World War II, while Aleksandra Chudina could not enter because the Soviet Union elected not to compete in London. This left the competition wide open, to the benefit of Hungary’s gold medalist Olga Gyarmati. Behind her, Noemí Simonetto de Portela became the first woman from South America to medal at the Olympics.