Stones had broken his own world record with 2.31 a month before the
Games, and was hot favourite. He was also the most unpopular athlete
in Montreal, as far as the local crowd was concerned. The Californian
had been misquoted as saying that all French Canadians were rude (he
was referring to the organising committee of the Games). Whenever he
appeared he was booed. But the garrulous Stones had a bigger problem
– the Montreal rain, which affected his run-up. The wet conditions hurt
all the jumpers, with only four of the 10 who had cleared 2.18 able to
make it over 2.21. At that point the boyish-looking Wszoła led because
he passed all heights up to 2.14, with Stones second.
The locals had jeered at the sight of Stones sweeping away water
from the take-off area, but cheered for local man Greg Joy, who cleared
2.21 first time to move ahead of Budalov, the only straddler in the top
group. The Russian failed to clear another height, leaving three flop-
pers as the medal winners for the first time. Wszoła cleared 2.23 first
time, which would have been enough for victory after Joy cleared third
time and Stones failed. However, the 19 year-old then made 2.25 and
had one attempt at 2.29 before calling it a day. The following week, in
dry conditions, Stones broke his world record again, jumping 2.32.
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