World and Olympic Record: 8.90m Robert Beamon, United States Mexico City, Mexico 18th October 1968.
Undefeated since 1981, Lewis was such an overwhelming favourite
that the question seemed to be whether he might break the world
record, rather than simply win. After leading the qualifying round by
28cm with 8.30w, Lewis soared to 8.54 on his opening jump and the
gold medal was decided. After a foul Lewis then passed his remaining
jumps, mindful of his remaining competition at 200m and the relay.
Behind him, Larry Myricks, favourite for the runner-up position, was
having trouble. Trailing Italy’s slender Giovanni Evangelisti 8.06 to
8.09 in the first round, the US number two then dropped to fourth,
behind Australia’s Gary Honey, who reached 8.18 in the third round.
Myricks managed 8.16 in the fifth round, but both Evangelisti and
Honey showed great competitive abilities by leaping 8.24 for national
records and the minor medals. Jumpers missing from the fray who
would have been medal factors were Jaime Jefferson of Cuba (8.36 in
the Soviet bloc “Druzhba” meeting), Konstantin Semykin (8.38), and
Lutz Dombrowski (8.45 the week before LA).
United States
Australia
Italy
China
Bahamas
Japan
South Korea
Nigeria
Spain
Switzerland
Yugoslavia
Antigua Barbuda
Kenya
Chad
Chinese Taipei
Iceland
UA Emirates
Ecuador
Mali
Togo
Lebanon
Paraguay
Cameroon
Cyprus
New Zealand
Belgium
Ghana
