Description

Competitors sprint down a runway (at elite level, usually coated with the same rubberised surface as running tracks), jump as far as they can off a slightly raised wooden board into a pit filled with fine gravel or sand. The minimum distance from the board to the indentation made by the competitor in the gravel is measured. If the competitor starts his leap with any part of his foot in front of the board the jump is declared illegal and no distance is recorded.

The exact format of the competition varies, but generally each competitor will get a number of attempts to make his or her longest jump, and only the longest legal jump counts towards the results. The competitor with the longest legal jump at the end of competition is declared the winner.

Greats: Carol Lewis

Cool Gear

Carl Lewis' achievements are unprecedented in track and field: He is one of two athletes (the other being Paavo Nurmi) to win nine Olympic gold medals. Similarly, he is one of two (the other being Al Oerter) to win four golds in the same event. He also won 10 medals, including eight golds, at the World Outdoor Championships, the most by any athlete in the world.

Mizuno Men's Long Jump

The Mizuno Long Jump shoe has a mesh and synthetic upper with a fit strap that minimizes energy loss through an enhanced fit. The jump plate is configured for approach speed and takeoff. Molded piranha tooth outsole provides traction. Wt. 7.2 oz.

Links

» Mike Powell - bio
» Jackie Joyner-Kersee - article

Nike Women's Zoom Lisista

The Nike Zoom Lisista track shoe is designed for the female sprinter looking for a lightweight spike for a variety of sprinting events. Skeletal synthetic frame provides support in a minimal and lightweight package. large mesh panels add breathability. Lightweight contoured and thin wedge of Phylon™ midsole. Flexible, yet supportive five-spike plate with configured leaf spring support system under forefoot. Wt. 4.8 oz.

Growing up in Willingboro, N.J., Lewis came from an athletic family, and yet he blossomed late in his high school career. In his senior year, he improved his personal best in the long jump by almost a foot, from 25' 9" to 26' 8" and ranked number five in the world. The following year, as a freshman at the University of Houston, he qualified for the Olympic team in the long jump. Because of the U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics, Lewis had to wait four years for his Olympic glory. By 1984, he had already ranked number one in the world in both the 100 meters and long jump for three consecutive years. In Los Angeles, he matched Jesse Owens' 1936 feat with four gold medals in the same events -- the 100m, 200m, long jump and 4x100m relay. At the 1988 Olympics, he won the 100 meters and long jump. In 1992, he again won the long jump as well as the 4x100m, anchoring the U.S. team to a world record of 37.40. In 1996, in his final Olympics, Lewis had a dramatic farewell, winning his fourth-consecutive gold medal in the long jump.

Greats: Galina Chistyakova

Galina Chistyakova was born July 26, 1962 in Izmail, Ukraine. Competing in long jump, she won the 1985 European Indoor Championships and a silver medal at the European Championships one year later. In 1988 she managed to win an Olympic bronze medal in Seoul as well as jumping 7.52 metres (24 ft 8 in), the current world record for women. More gold medals at Indoor Championships followed, and in 1990 she even won the first triple jump event held at the European Indoor Championships. Later that year she underwent a knee operation and never returned to her old form.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union she became a Russian citizen. Married to retired triple jumper Aleksandr Beskrovniy, the couple now lives in Slovakia.

Adidas Men's adiStar Long Tights

The highly-technical adidas adiStar Long running tight will help keep your body temperature optimized for running in cold weather. ForMotion™ 3-D engineered pattern allows ultimate performance and comfort. Bonding and flatlock stitching for mesh inserts and stripe applications increase comfort by minimizing rubbing and chafing. Elastic waistband with drawcord, pre-shaped knees, external zip pocket. Reflective ankle zips with stay-down pulls, reflective adidas brandmark. 90% polyester/10% spandex single jersey with 87% polyester/13% spandex mesh inserts. Imported.

Where to get it:
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods

Adidas Women's adiStar Long Tights

The highly-technical adidas adiStar Long running tight will help keep your body temperature optimized for running in cold weather. ForMotion™ 3-D engineered pattern allows ultimate performance and comfort. Bonding and flatlock stitching for mesh inserts and stripe applications increase comfort by minimizing rubbing and chafing. Elastic waistband with drawcord, pre-shaped knees, external zip pocket. Reflective ankle zips with stay-down pulls, reflective adidas brandmark. 90% polyester/10% spandex single jersey with 87% polyester/13% spandex mesh inserts. Imported.

Where to get it:
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods

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