By the time of the 1988 Games, Bubka had established himself as the
greatest vaulter in the world, with nine outdoor world records including
the first ever 6m clearance three years earlier. The qualifying height
was 5.55, as only 15 made 5.40, it was decided to terminate the pro-
ceedings. Only the Soviets opened higher than 5.40 (Bubka and
Gataullin 5.50, Yegorov 5.45).
In the final six men made 5.70 and Vigneron withdrew at 5.75 after
injuring an ankle. Bell and Collet failed, leaving the three passers – the
Soviet jumpers – to fight for the gold. Yegorov set an Olympic record
in clearing 5.80 first time, and Gataullin cleared 5.85 at his third try.
Bubka had passed 5, 75, 5, 80 and 5.85, but now went for 5.90. After
two poor failures, Bubka changed poles, using a larger one, and had
one of his soaring clearances for the gold. He later described his win-
ning jump as “one of my best vaults ever”. The win cemented the first
and only Soviet clean sweep in the event.
Soviet Union
United States
France
Hungary
Finland
Czechoslovakia
Austria
Poland
Bulgaria
South Korea
Canada
Spain
Great Britain
