World Record: Ingrid Kristiansen, Norway 2:21:06 April 21, 1985 London, Great Britain
Olympic Record: Joan Benoit, United States 2:24:52 August 5, 1984 Los Angeles, United States
Season Best: Olga Markova, Russia 2:23:43 April 20, 1992 Boston, United States
The temperature at the start of the race was 30°C, with humidity over
70%, ensuring a slow race. Seoul silver medallist Lisa Ondieki was co-
favourite with World Champion Wanda Panfil (POL). The Australian
led to 20km, reached in 1:14:09 with 15 runners within 10 seconds.
Yegorova then made a move just before 25km and led from her team-
mate Madina Biktagirova by three seconds. By 30km the lead was over
a minute after a 34:10 10km section. Ondieki had dropped out and
Panfil was almost three minutes behind. Akimori began to close in and
caught Yegorova just after 35km. The two ran together up the long hill
towards the stadium, and Yegorova finally broke away 300m before
Montjuic stadium.
Biktagirova placed fourth in 2:35:59 but was later disqualified for
failing a drugs test (norephedrine).
United Team
Japan
New Zealand
Germany
North Korea
Portugal
South Africa
United States
Hungary
Great Britain
Finland
Brazil
Italy
Canada
Poland
Czechoslovakia
South Korea
Kenya
Ethiopia
Romania
Costa Rica
Peru
US Virgin Islands
Guam
Zaire
Mexico
Switzerland
Vietnam
France
Aruba
Australia
