Bob Beamon

Robert "Bob" Beamon (born August 29, 1946) is an American track and field athlete, best known for his long-standing world record in the long jump.

Related Topics:
August 29 - 1946 - American - Track and field - World record - Long jump

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Beamon, from Jamaica, New York, set a world record for the long jump at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City with a jump of 8.90 m (29 ft. 2-1/2 in.). His world record stood for 23 years, and was named by Sports Illustrated magazine as one of the five greatest sports moments of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
Jamaica, New York - World record - Long jump - 1968 Summer Olympics - Mexico City - Sports Illustrated - 20th century

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Prior to Beamon?s jump, the world record had been broken 13 times since 1901, with an average increase of 0.06 m and the largest increase being 0.15 m. Beamon?s gold medal mark bettered the existing record by 0.55 m (21-3/4 in.) as he became the first person to reach both 28 and 29 feet.

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The defending Olympic champion, Lynn Davies of Wales, told Beamon, ?You have destroyed this event?, and in track and field jargon, a new adjective, ?Beamonesque? came into use to describe spectacular feats. Beamon?s record was broken in 1991 when Mike Powell jumped 8.95 m at the World Championships in Tokyo.

Related Topics:
Lynn Davies - Wales - Mike Powell - Tokyo

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