Javelin Throw, Women

Defending champion Elvira Ozoliņa (URS) was a heavy favorite. She had set the last three world records and won the 1962 European Championships. But in the qualifying round Soviet teammate Yelena Gorchakova unleashed a world record throw of 62.40 (204-8¾), the first ratified mark of over 200 feet (Ozoliņa had an unratified mark of 61.38 [201-4½] earlier in the year). But neither would win the gold medal. In round one Romania’s 17-year-old Mihaela Peneş bettered her personal best by four metres with 60.54 and that held up for the world record. Gorchakova was able to hold on for bronze, but Ozoliņa finished only fifth. She was so distraught that she went to the Olympic Village hair stylist and demanded that she shave her head. When the hairdresser refused she took the clippers and began to shave her head herself, and walked around the village for the rest of the Games virtually bald, exposing her shame at her poor performance.