Athletics at the 1972 München Summer Games:

Nadezhda Chizhova (URS) had been disappointing in 1968 when, as co-favorite, she won only a bronze medal. She had won the last three European Championships (1966, 1969, 1971), and since 1968 had broken the world record six times, most recently in May 1972 with 20.63. The defending champion, Margitta Gummel was back, and had one world record during the recent Olympiad, 20.10 (65-11½) in 1969, but had been surpassed by Chizhova. This time Chizhova did not disappoint, settling matters with her first throw, a world record 21.03 (69-0). Gummel recorded a personal best in round four with 20.22 (66-4¼) but was not close to Chizhova.