London, England – Brittney Reese became the first American woman to win gold in the long jump since Jackie Joyner-Kersee, while countrywoman Janay DeLoach took bronze.
Reese, who placed fifth four years ago in Beijing, won Wednesday's competition at the London Games with a leap of 7.12 meters, beating Elena Sokolova of Russia by .05 meters.
DeLoach won bronze at her first Olympics, posting a best jump of 6.89m. Ineta Radevica of Latvia was only .01 meters behind DeLoach.
Reese, winner of the last two world championships, ended a U.S. gold drought that began after Joyner-Kersee stood on the top of the podium at the 1988 Seoul Games.
