The top two were generally considered to be Cloete, the 2003 World
Champion, and Slesarenko, the 2004 World Indoor Champion. Others
highly rated were Chicherova, and the 1.90 tall Blanka Vlašić (CRO).
Three jumpers made the final on the countback rules after clearing
1.92, while the other nine were successful at 1.95.
The final was tougher, with only six clearing 1.96, while Vlašić –
suffering from a respiratory infection – was unable to go higher than
1.89. Of those successful at 1.96, Cloete and Slesarenko were the only
jumpers without a failure to that point. They continued in the same vein
until 2.04, with only Styopina for company. The Ukrainian, in fourth
place behind Acuff after 1.99, then cleared 2.02 first time for the bronze
medal. Like her, Cloete was unable to jump higher than 2.02, but
Slesarenko easily cleared 2.04 and 2.06 first time, the latter for an
Olympic record. She then had one close attempt at a world record 2.10.
Russia
South Africa
Ukraine
United States
Romania
Spain
Croatia
Belgium
Turkey
Switzerland
Argentina
Czechia
India
Kazakhstan
Vietnam
Australia
Mexico
Bulgaria
Dominicana
China
Thailand
KGZ
MDA
Colombia
Greece
