Blankers-Koen second gold in stead of Britains first
ATHLETICS - The seventh day of the Olympics also didn't produce a gold medal for the home country. Although Maureen Gardner came close, very close.
Mrs. Gardner almost didn't make it to the final, but her nervous semi-final was just good enough to get her through. No sign of nerves on Blankers-Koens side. She broke the Olympic record in the series, thus reinforcing her claim to a second olympic triumph after her victory in the 100 metres.
The final had it all. Gardner seemed to beat the starting gun and got the best start. But Blankers-Koen didn't panic and took the lead halfway through. Both women stayed very close, but in the end Blankers-Koen came out on top.
Both she and Maureen Gardner were given a time of 11.2 seconds, a new Olympic record. The bronze was for Shirley Strickland of Australia. Blankers-Koen stays on track for four gold medals. Later on she will compete in the 200 metres and the relay events.
