Discus Throw, Women

Defending champion Faina Melnik was considered a certainty for the gold medal. She had won the European Championships in 1971 and 1974 and set 10 world records since 1971. She opened with 64.48 (211-6¾) to take the lead but was surpassed first by GDR’s Gabriele Hinzmann (66.68) and then Evelin Schlaak, who broke the GDR record with 69.00 (226-4½), which was the third best throw ever. That would eventually stand up for the gold medal. Bulgaria’s Mariya Vergova moved into second in round two with 67.30 (220-9¾) and would win the silver medal. Melnik was a strange non-factor for the gold, and failed to medal.On her fifth throw Melnik was warned by a judge that she was taking too long to complete her throw. The pair got into an argument and eventually the judge reversed his decision. Visibly angered Melnik channelled her aggression and threw the discus to within half a metre of the lead. However the throw was later declared void. Poland’s Danuta Rosani qualified for the final but before she could compete, was disqualified for doping when her sample showed an anabolic steroid. This was the first Olympic doping positive in track & field athletics.