The Long Jump
The Perfect Jump
The weather is overcast, with periodic rain, at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. Seventeen athletes have made it here to the finals of the Olympic long jump. Three athletes have fouled their first jumps as the official calls out, “Beamon, United States.”
All eyes in the packed stands are focused on the favorite – Bob Beamon – who has won 22 of 23 meets he’s entered this season. Yesterday, the American almost missed making the finals, fouling on his first two attempts during the trials. A final attempt “safety jump” brings him to this point in time.
Long and lanky, Beamon strides over to his mark and begins his typical pre-jump ritual. Head down and motionless, he stands on the runway visualizing a perfect jump. Over to the side, mentor and coach Ralph Boston shouts out, “Come on, make it a good one.”
Motionless for twenty seconds, Beamon replays the approach and take-off, watching himself soar through the air. He is confident he will jump far and continually reminds himself, “Don’t foul. Don’t foul. Don’t foul.”
Left foot to his mark, the right foot drops back, pushes off, and his approach begins. What follows are four seconds of controlled acceleration to the board, nine strides of the left foot at world-class speed — little different from his opponents – until he hits the board. Beamon’s eyes focus to the sky, he is instantly over the heads of the officials sitting on both sides of the pit. Mid-flight, Beamon’s face takes on the expression of surprise — or is it shock? Landing, he bounds out of the pit half hopping, half galloping.
Beamon is sure that he has broken the world record.  <continue reading…>
Rochester, NY