Athletics at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games:

The favorite was Mike Conley who had won the US Olympic Trials with 17.50 (57-5). He led the qualifying. But in the final, his teammate, Al Joyner opened up with 17.26 (56-7½) in round one. The mark was windy but would count for the event and it would win him the gold medal. Conley leapt 17.18 (56-4½) in round three but could do no better. In the final round, he probably surpassed 17.60 (57-9) but had fouled on the take-off. Great Britain's Keith Connor, 1978 and 1982 Commonwealth Games Champion, placed third but never challenged Joyner or Conley. Joyner's sister was Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the great heptathlon champion and long jumper. Conley's son later became a great athlete as well. Mike Conley, Jr. played basketball for Ohio State, leading them to the NCAA final in 2007, before being drafted by the Memphis Grizzlies.