Defending Olympic champion Francoise Mbango of Cameroon broke the Olympic record of the women's triple jump at the Beijing Olympics here on Sunday and retained the title.
In her second attempt, Mbango landed 15.39 meters. The previous record was held by Inessa Kravets of Ukraine in 15.33 meters.
Tatyana Lebedeva of Russia, took her second Olympic silver after Sydney games with a jump of 15.32 meters. She was also the bronze medalist in Athens games.
The bronze went to Hrysopiyi Devetzi of Greece, who cleared 15.23 meters, who jumped 15.33 meters in the qualification at the Athens games, the best Olympic effort so far.
The reigning champion created the new Olympic record in her second jump, and then posted lackluster performance in her next four trials which were all below 15 meters.
The runner-up secured her place in the third jump, and posted two foul attempts in her last two trials. The bronze medalist failed in her last four jumps after she cleared the 15.23 meters in her second trials.
(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2008)