(24 July 1996; Day 05)
It was an obvious dissapointment on Saturday to Aleksandra IVOSEV of Yugoslavia when Renata MAUER of Poland slipped past her to win the gold in the women's air rifle event. Today the tables were turned when IVOSEV won the women's 3 x 20 (20 shots in three positions -- prone, standing and kneeling) final event by six points, leaving MAUER to pick up the bronze.
IVOSEV shot solidly throughout the final while MAUER struggled to stay in medal contention. As MAUER shot her first shot of a 7.6, everyone was stunned at the low score. MAUER explained, "When I participate in finals, I need more time. At the Olympics, we are allowed only three minutes to warm up and seven minutes to try out. I need more time."
Nevertheless, both IVOSEV and MAUER broke Olympic records today in different parts of the 3 x 20 event. MAUER beat Launi MEILI's (USA) Barcelona record of 587 by two points in the preliminary round. IVOSEV, with her final of 98.9, also beat MEILI's record from Barcelona, this time for the final Olympic record. Her total was 686.1, which is 1.6 points higher than the previous record.
When asked what she did differently during or before this final, IVOSEV replied, "I didn't do anything special to prepare. I just kept saying to myself, 'I have to do it. I can do it. I can do it.' "
The civil war in Yugoslavia has affected many aspects of IVOSEV's life. As far as training for the Olympic Games, she said, "It was very hard to prepare because of the different sanctions. It was hard to buy good ammunition. There were quite a few problems. I am proud to win the medal for Yugoslavia and show that Yugoslavia athletes can still compete."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Janelle Whateley.
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