Report08 Aug 2012


London 2012 - Event Report - Women's Long Jump Final

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Brittney Reese of the United States celebrates winning gold in the Women's Long Jump Final on Day 12 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 8, 2012 (© Getty Images)

Brittney Reese, after only making the final with her last attempt in the qualifying round, added the Olympic title to the two World Championships Indoor and Outdoors gold medals already in her trophy cabinet.

The 25-year-old who has dominated global long jumping following her fifth finish on her Olympic debut in Beijing four days, was again her own erratic self attaining only two legal jumps.

But the American, who has shown nerves of steel in the past when under pressure, after an initial no jump was in a relaxed mood after rocketing in the next round to a clearance which proved to be the eventual winner of 7.12m.

That gave her a five centimetres victory ahead of Russian champion Yelena Sokolova - on the night the most consistent performer - whose best effort came just before Reese also in round two while Janay DeLoach grabbed the bronze from Ineta Radevica with her penultimate leap of 6.89m.

That bettered by one centimetre the distance Radevica, last year's surprise bronze medallist, posted with her opener which saw the first round end with her ahead of Sokolova's 6.80m and De Loach's 6.77m, before Reese took charge of the competition.

"I feel great," said Reese after clearing a distance only three centimetres short of her 2012 World lead. "I wanted to come out and make a statement and that's exactly what I did.

"It's taken a lot, but it's been fun. I'm from the coast of Mississippi. We went through Hurricane Katrina, so I have got this medal for them. This is to honour them."

Reese a former basketball player who always competes in red socks, added: "This means a lot for our country, we've got some expected medals and some that nobody thought we would get."

Sokolova who only cleared seven metres for the first time, a personal best 7.06m when claiming her national title at he beginning of July, said: "Everything is great, but I really have this feeling that something isn't finished. I am not sure what it is, but I am happy.

The 26-year-old who highlighted her talent when winning last month's Samsung Diamond League, added: "All the elements were there, my speed was there. I've always had a dream to get a personal best, with a medal, at the Olympic Games so this is emotional for me."

Although ranked world Number five coming into the Games, she added: "I knew I was going to win a medal when coming to London. I've been really strong lately."

David Martin for the IAAF
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