"Between 1935 and 1968, the world long jump record increased exactly eight and one-half inches. Coming into the Olympics, the world record was 27 feet, 4¾ inches, shared by American Ralph Boston and Russian Igor Ter-Ovanesyan. In six seconds, that all changed.
Bob Beamon, a 22-year-old New York native, barely qualified for the Olympic long jump finals after fouling in two of his qualifying runs. Fortunately, he did qualify.
The following day in the finals, Beamon took off down the runway in the thin air of Mexico City. After exactly 19 loping strides, he hit the board perfectly, stretched out with his legs and flew through the air like no one ever had. And finally, he hit the sand in the pit below—29 feet, 2½ inches later!
He leapt out of the pit, knowing he had done something special. Not only was he the first long jumper in history to reach 28 feet. He also became the first to reach 29 feet. He shattered the world record by an unbelievable 21 ¾ inches.
Although Mike Powell jumped 29-4½ at the World Championships in Tokyo on Aug. 30, 1991 (a World record that still stands), Bob Beamon still holds the Olympic record, 40 years later."
Listening To: Two Tongues - "Crawl"
1 comment:
Ahh, Rest Day.
It's a little bit like Christmas*.
* Episode 8 - MarkyD and Chad talking Crossfit.
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