While the long jump is not
technically a sprint, the long jump requires great speed prior
to takeoff and historically sprinters have dominated the
event. The long jump entails sprinting down a runway
toward a board which the competitor cannot cross prior to
jumping toward the sand pit. If the foot crosses the foul
line prior to takeoff the jump is declared illegal. Long
jump records have often stood for long periods of time.
Jesse Owens' 1935 record of 8.13 meters was not broken until
1960 by Ralph Boston (8.21 meters) who later added to his
record. Bob Beamon set a record of 8.90 meters in
1968 in Mexico City which was not surpassed until 1991 by
Michael Powell (8.95 meters) at the World Championships in
Tokyo. Irving Saladino of Panama currently has the
longest recent jump of 8.73 meters in 2008.
The long jump consists of the
approach where the competitor attains top speed, the final
strides where the jumper prepares for takeoff by slightly
lowering the center of gravity and the takeoff where maximum
contact with the foot is desired without placing emphasis on
either the heel or toes.
Undoubtedly the greatest long jump
competition of all time the 1991 Tokyo World Championship
featured Carl Lewis and Mike Powell with several jumps
close to 29 feet. Two long jumps in this competition
exceeded the previous world record of 8.90 meters set by Bob
Beamon in the 1968 Olympic games. Carl Lewis' jump of
8.91 meters was wind-aided but Mike Powell's jump of 8.95
meters set a new World Record which still stands
today.
Michael Powell's World Record long jump
of 29 feet 5 1/2 inches
Bob Beamon's historical long jump of 8.9
meters or 29 feet 2 1/2 inches set at the 1968 Olympic games
beat the previous record by nearly two feet and stood until
1991. It still stands today as the Olympic
record.
Carl Lewis illustrates perfect long jump
form in slow motion
