Athletics at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games:

Defending champion Javier Sotomayor (CUB) was back but an injured ankle prevented him from being at his best and he would finish 11th. The 1991 World Champion, Charles Austin, had battled injuries since 1991, but was now healthy again. Three jumpers remained at 2.35 (7-8½) – Austin, 1992 bronze medalist Artur Partyka (POL), and Britain’s Steve Smith. At 2.37 (7-9¼) Partyka cleared on his second attempt. Austin and Smith missed twice, and then passed to 2.39 (7-10). At 2.39, Austin cleared to take the lead, Smith went out, while Partyka missed once, and passed to 2.41 (7-10¾). When he missed twice at that height, Austin had the gold medal. He took three attempts at a world record 2.46 (8-0¾). Partyka won silver, and in seven major international championships between 1992-98 – Olympic, World, and European – he never failed to medal.