9781422284292

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A Leap for the Ages

American Bob Beamon only won one gold medal in his career, but it was one of the most spectacular in Olympic history. It came at the 1968 Summer Games in Mexico City. Beamon was favored to win the long jump event, having lost only one meet all year. Beamon had come close to the world record of 8.35 m (27.40 feet) twice that year, jumping 8.33 m (27.33 feet) and a wind-assisted 8.37 m (27.46 feet). Yet no one could have expected what happened on his very first jump of the Olympic competition. Beamon settled himself at the top of the runway, took 19 strides to hit the board perfectly, and soared into history. He leaped an incredible 8.90 m (29.20 feet), beating the existing world record by an astonishing 0.55 m (1.80 feet). It is one of the most impressive records in Olympic history and one that stood for nearly 23 years.

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