Long jump
Horizontal jump event combining speed, strength, and agility.
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a takeoff point. Along with the triple jump, the two events that measure jumping for distance are referred to as the "horizontal jumps." The event has a history in the ancient Olympic Games and has been a modern Olympic event for men since the first Olympics in 1896 and for women since 1948.
At the elite level, competitors run down a runway, typically coated with the same rubberized surface as running tracks, and jump from a wooden or synthetic board that is 20 centimeters wide and built flush with the runway into a pit of soft, damp sand. If any part of the foot lands past the foul line, the jump is declared a foul. A layer of plasticine is placed at a 90-degree angle immediately after the board to detect this, though camera technology and laser sensors have replaced plasticine at elite competitions. The competitor may initiate the jump from any point behind the foul line, but the distance is measured perpendicularly from the foul line to the nearest break in the sand caused by any part of the body or uniform. Competitors may place two marks along the runway to assist with accuracy. Each competitor normally has three trials, with three additional jumps awarded to the best eight or nine competitors. All valid attempts are recorded, but only the best mark counts. In the event of a tie, the next best jumps are compared. For record purposes, the maximum accepted wind assistance is a specific value.
The long jump is the only known jumping event of ancient Greece’s original Olympics pentathlon. Unlike the modern event, athletes were only allowed a short running start and carried weights called halteres, which were swung forward as the athlete jumped to increase momentum. The weights were held throughout the jump, and swinging them down and back at the end allowed the athlete to stretch his legs outward.
- field
- Track and field (horizontal jumps)
- known_for
- Measuring jumping distance from a takeoff board into a sand pit
- ancient_origin
- Only known jumping event of ancient Greece's original Olympics pentathlon
Lore & Background
The long jump is the only known jumping event of ancient Greece's original Olympics' pentathlon events. All events at the Olympic Games were initially supposed to act as training for warfare, and the long jump likely mirrored crossing obstacles such as streams and ravines. Unlike the modern event, ancient athletes were allowed only a short running start and carried weights called halteres (1 to 4.5 kg) in each hand, which were swung forward to increase momentum and then down and back at the end of the jump to change the center of gravity. The jump was made from a board called the bater, and the landing area was a dug-up area called a skamma, not a sand pit. Music was often played during the jump, and Philostratus noted that the rules regarded jumping as the most difficult competition, allowing advantages in rhythm from the flute and in weight from the halteres. There is scholarly debate over whether the ancient event was a triple jump, but images suggest it was much like today's long jump.
Reader's Guide
At the elite level, competitors run down a rubberized runway and jump from a wooden or synthetic board 20 cm wide into a sand pit. A foul is declared if any part of the foot is past the foul line, detected by plasticine or modern camera and laser sensors. Competitors typically have three trials, with the best eight or nine receiving three additional jumps; the longest valid jump wins. The event's technique involves five components: approach run, last two strides, takeoff, action in the air, and landing. Speed in the approach is critical, and many long jumpers also compete successfully in sprints, such as Carl Lewis and Heike Drechsler. For record purposes, maximum accepted wind assistance is 2 m/s.
Did You Know?
- The long jump is the only known jumping event of ancient Greece's original Olympics pentathlon.
- Ancient jumpers carried weights called halteres (1 to 4.5 kg) and swung them to increase momentum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the long jump in track and field?
The long jump is a horizontal jump event where athletes sprint down a runway, launch off a takeoff board, and land in a sand pit. It tests a combination of speed, strength, and agility to cover the greatest possible distance.
How does the long jump differ from the triple jump?
Both belong to the two horizontal jump events in athletics, but the long jump involves a single takeoff and landing, while the triple jump requires a hop, step, and jump sequence. The long jump measures one continuous leap from the board into the pit.
What is the long jump's connection to ancient Greece?
It was the sole jumping discipline in the original Olympic pentathlon held in ancient Greece, making it one of the oldest competitive athletic events with a continuous lineage. Its modern form as a measured distance event evolved from that ancient tradition.
Why is the long jump considered a key event in track and field?
It sits at the intersection of sprinting power and aerial technique, requiring athletes to convert horizontal speed into maximum flight distance. Its long Olympic history and status as one of only two horizontal jumps give it a central place in the sport's identity.
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