Strong winds reduced the heights achieved by 15-20cm, and some sur-
prises occurred. The three USSR vaulters, all 4.40 performers, were
unable to clear higher than 4.15, while Eeles Landström, European
Champion and record holder, failed at 4.35. The best European was
Roubanis, who was using a new fibreglass pole, rather than the metal
poles popularised during the 1940s. The Greek UCLA student joined
the flawless Richards and Gutowski in clearing 4.40, leaving George
Mattos in fourth place.
All three then cleared the next two heights with Roubanis second on
countback ahead of Gutowki. At 4.53, the Americans cleared first time
with Gutowski making the better jump before Richard grazed the bar.
Roubanis missed, and at the next height Richards again cleared while
making the bar wobble, and so won the gold medal. Richards consid-
ered that in good conditions he might have cleared 4.72.
United States
Greece
Sweden
Poland
Finland
UT Germany
Soviet Union
Italy
Pakistan
Puerto Rico
Australia
France