In the World Championships the previous year, the only, token, Chinese representative finished dead last in her qualifying heat.

Rogachova went to the front, quickly marked by Melinte and a third former Soviet, double 1983 medalist Yekaterina Podkopayeva.

In dead last place, Qu had to work her way around PattiSue Plumer and Mutola who had dropped back expecting to pick up the pieces with her finishing kick.

Only the remaining green Unified team members were able to struggle to hold on to the three leaders with a gap back to Plummer and Mutola leading the second group.

Mutola launched into what would be a long final kick, but after leaving Plummer, she wasn't making any headway.