 Of the 16 finalists in the men's high jump (all having qualified with jumps of 2.21 on 31 July), thirteen used the Fosbury Flop style, and three used the classic straddle.Wessig not only out-dueled Wszoła for the gold during the finals on 1 August, the two shattered the 1976 mark several times, with clearances at 2.27, 2.29, and 2.31.Wessig began the competition at 2.15, and was flawless until 2.29, when he needed two attempts.