These are the official results of the Women's Heptathlon competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

As a 26 year old, she was at the peak of her career and the returning silver medalist had steadily improved since the first Olympic heptathlon.

In the previous two years, she had amassed the top five marks in history, including the world record of 7215, set at the Olympic Trials.

The competition appeared settled, the world record was clearly her target as her husband/coach reinforced with every instruction from the stands.

Concluding the first day, Joyner-Kersee's Olympic heptathlon best 22.56 left Behmer in second place, more than a half second behind.

It would take a 2:13.6 to equal the world record, a time that was within Joyner-Kersee's range, she had run a half a second faster in the 1984 Olympics.

Going for the world record, Joyner-Kersee keyed off of the three East German athletes, all with superior 800 metre credentials to hers.

Behmer sprinted the final straightaway to take a 2:04.20 event victory while JJK struggled the last 100 metres, getting caught by Shubenkova before the line.