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A giant leap into history

Avinash Nair

He cleared 8.90 metres in long jump at Mexico
Klaus Beer coming in a distant second with 8.19

Beamonesque! That was mentioned for anything mammoth for all of 23 years.

Bob Beamon, in the thin air of Mexico City on October 18, 1968, made everyone sit up and take notice with a giant leap of 8.90 metres (29 ft 2-1/2 inches) in the Olympic long jump event.

Many argued that this feat was possible because of the rarefied air of Mexico City and a wind of 2.0 metres (within permissible limits), but then the other jumpers too had the same conditions. However, no one else anywhere near Beamon’s effort with Klaus Beer coming in a distant second with 8.19.

Adding to the aura

The optical device was not equipped to measure Beamon’s big leap and had to be measured manually, adding to the aura.

The 22-year-old American had won 22 of the 23 events prior to the Olympics that year, but never again jumped beyond 8.22 metres. And to believe that Beamon barely qualified for the Olympics!

After two foul jumps, it all looked over until another jumper — Ralph Boston — suggested to Beamon to jump a foot away from the board.

Six seconds and 19 strides on to the runway and Beamon’s jump was history.

About Beamon’s leap, fellow jumper Soviet Igor Ter-Ovanesyan said, “Compared to this jump, we are like children,” while the then reigning Olympic champion Lynn Davies (U.K.) told Beamon: “you have destroyed this event.”

Sports Illustrated mentioned the effort as one of the five greatest sporting moments of the 20th century.

Beamon’s record was broken by Mike Powell who jumped 8.95 metres on August 30, 1991.

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