Cuba's Ivan Pedroso, the world's finest long jumper for the past five years, finally won Olympic gold when his last gasp 8.55 metres jump denied Australian home favourite Jai Taurima after an absorbing duel.

The bronze medal was won by the Ukraine's Roman Schurenko, with 8.31m.

Taurima had been a man inspired all night, twice breaking his own Australian record and taking the lead with a mark of 8.49 metres.

Pedroso, needing to summon up all his experience in the sixth and final round to better Taurima's mark, hit the board perfectly and soared through the night sky before landing in the sand close to the eight and a half metre mark.

When the figures 8.55 were flashed on to the scoreboard, the crowd's disappointment was evident.

The flamboyant 28-year-old Taurima, who had taunted his American rivals as "dribblers" before the Games, was asked once again to out-jump his previous best but was unable to and had to settle for the silver medal.

Pedroso has had his share of disappointments.

Three times the world champion, Pedroso, had finished fourth at the 1992 Olympics, when aged just 19.

Four years ago, surgery on a damaged hamstring saw him unfit at the Atlanta Games.

AFP