The Dutch woman started poorly but drew level by the fifth of the eight hurdles. She hit it and, by her own description, lost all rhythm. Blankers-Koen said, but she managed to get to the line inches ahead, with both she and Gardner being timed at 11.2 seconds. Strickland, who would win at the next two Olympics, was third. In the relay, it was Blankers-Koen's storming anchor leg that pulled the Dutch from fourth at the final change to overhaul the leading Australian team near the line.
Fate is fickle.
Blankers-Koen returned from London with four gold medals, Strickland with two bronze and a silver. Years later, discovery of the official photo-finish of the 200 showed the Australian was third, not fourth, but the judges had awarded the bronze medal to Audrey Patterson of the US without reference to the photo. That medal would give Strickland eight Olympic medals - three gold, one silver and four bronze, putting her ahead of Szewinska and Merlene Ottey for most Olympic medals. Joyner-Kersee retired after a meeting in her hometown of St Louis on Saturday. It was an IAAF grand prix meeting, but it was built and sold largely on the farewell appearance of the greatest all-round athlete of the century.