A Comprehensive Look at Olympic Long Jump
One of the more glamorous Olympic events, the names of the great long jump champions shine brightly in Olympic history. Jesse Owens. Bob Beamon. Carl Lewis. Will the next Olympic champion join that pantheon of immortals?
About Olympic Long Jump:
The simple-looking event is anything but. Runners must hit the takeoff board in perfect stride - without fouling - and at full speed to have any hope of achieving Olympic glory.
- What Is Olympic Long Jump?
- Olympic Rules & Competition
- Learn to Compete in the Long Jump
- Your Road to the Olympic Team
Olympic Long Jump History:
On the men's side, Americans have dominated this event like few other. U.S. men have won gold medals in 22 of the 26 Olympics in which they've competed and have never gone two Olympics in a row without taking the long jump gold medal.
- An Illustrated History of the Long Jump
- Past Olympic Men’s Long Jump Medalists
- Past Olympic Women’s Long Jump Medalists
- Greatest Moments in Olympic Long Jump History
- Greatest Controversy in Olympic Long Jump History
Action Image Gallery:
Watch long jumpers soar through the air and land in a cloud of dust in this image gallery.
The Athletes:
Take a look at the top 2012 Olympic long jump hopefuls, from the U.S. and around the world, then catch up with some familiar names from the past with these selections.