Babe Didrikson actually tied her teammate Jean Shiley for first place in the high jump at the Olympics, but she was awarded the silver after the officials ruled her jumping style illegal. Didrikson's head crossed the bar before her body, similarly to the style that is popularly known today as the "Fosbury Flop."
In the javelin, Didrikson's first throw slipped out of her hand. The effort was still her best for the day. It measured 143 feet, 4 inches (43.68 meters), established an Olympic record (this was the first Olympiad at which women threw the javelin), and held up for the gold medal. In the hurdles, Didrikson set a new world record, finishing in 11.7 seconds. In the high jump, Didrikson and her American teammate Jean Shirley both cleared a world record 5' 5-1/4", or 1.657 meters. After Didrikson’s "western-roll" technique was ruled an illegal dive she retained her status as co-holder of the world record holder, but Shirley was awarded the gold medal.
