Athletics at the 1972 München Summer Games:

The top jumper in 1971 was Pat Matzdorf, who broke the world record with 2.29 (7-6) and won the Pan-American Games. But he failed to make the US team for München. The competition was felt to be wide-open with no favorite. Five jumpers survived over 2.18 (7-1¾) metres. At 2.21 (7-3), only Jüri Tarmak (URS/EST), Stefan Junge (GDR), and surprising young American Dwight Stones cleared, and the medalists were settled, but the colors remained to be determined. Only Tarmak could clear 2.23 (7-3¾), succeeding on his second attempt and he had the gold. Junge won silver on the countback, needing two attempts at 2.21 (7-3), while Stones had needed three. Tarmak was a straddler and remains the last man to win Olympic gold using that technique.