The History Of Track
And Field Long Jump

The track and field long jump is one of the oldest events there is.

It has a long and storied history, and was one of the original events in the pentathlon during the first Olympic Games in Athens Greece.

There are many aspects of long jump history that are up for debate...

One of the main arguments is how the event was actually performed. In some cases it is believed that the event was done from a standing position, but currently the consensus is that a running jump was taken.

The running jump is the accepted belief because it is known that the Greeks had specific words for the takeoff board and the landing pit. In the standing long jump there is no need for a takeoff board, and landing pit.

It is also believed (based on written and pictorial evidence) that when athletes performed, they jumped with weights in their hands.

These weights or halteres were carried and used to further enhance their distances.

By swinging the halteres forward during the jump the athletes would increase their momentum. While in the air the weights would be swung behind them giving them a further boost forward.

There is some controversy about the actual distances reached when jumping with these weights.

Some scholars believe that by using these weights, some athletes were able to jump over 15 meters (15.24 meters is 50 feet).

This of course is debated, but there is some recorded evidence of this from the fifth century B.C.

It was during the pentathlon at the Delphic Games that an athlete by the name of Phayllos was claimed to have jumped over 15 meters. Using modern measurements the distance would have measured further than 16 meters. Well over 53 feet.

Although this has yet to be proven a fact, it is an amazing piece of information, especially since no modern track and field long jump athlete has legally jumped further than 9 meters.

One argument that is present is that these distances were not achieved by one single jump. Some believe that there were...

multiple standing jumps.

The distances of these jumps were combined to give the final result.

Currently, there is not enough evidence to thoroughly prove the rules and actual techniques used to achieve these distances.

So until more evidence is found, the actual distances and techniques used will continue to be debated.

One jump that exists where there is enough evidence to support its claims is...

The jump of Chionis.

During the Olympics of 656 B.C., he jumped 7.05 meters or 23 feet 1 1/2 inches.

This distance would put him more in the range of current athletes who have competed in the long jump during the...

Modern Olympics

The modern olympics as we know them today, include many more events in track and field. The long jump continues to be one of them.

The progression of the event from the first modern games held in 1896 has seen many long jump records set and broken.

It is interesting to note that women were not allowed to officially compete at the olympic level until 1928, 32 years after the first modern olympic games.

As time has passed technology and training methods have improved.

Shoes became lighter and more responsive, rubberized surfaces were created, and more efficient techniques were developed. These improvements have allowed jumpers to significantly increase their distances.

To the point where the current mens world record is just shy of 9 meters. 8.95 meters to be exact, or 29 feet 4 1/2 inches.

The women's world record stands at 7.52 meters or 24 feet 8 1/4 inches.

Unlike our Greek ancestors, these distances have been achieved without the use of weights.

These distances are so great that the women's mark has stood for over twenty years, and the men's has stood strong for more than fifteen.

It is only a matter of time until someone comes along to challenge and break these records.

Until then, the records will remain unchanged. With thousands of years of tradition behind it, the track and field long jump will continue to stand as one of the great ambassadors of the sport.

To see the progression of track and field long jump records click...here

Top Of Track And Field Long Jump Page

Back To Long Jump

Home Page