Long Jump

The long jump is a sport that tests how far a person can leap. Athletes run down a track and then jump forward. They land in a pit full of soft sand. Whoever jumps the farthest is the winner.

The Jump

The athlete runs as fast as they can toward the jumping line. They must jump before crossing the line or the jump doesn't count. In the air, they stretch their body forward. They land feet first in the sand.

The long jump runway where athletes dash before leaping into the sand.
The long jump runway where athletes dash before leaping into the sand. (User:Miaow Miaow / Wikimedia Commons)

Measuring

Judges use tape to measure how far the athlete jumped. They measure from the jumping line to the mark in the sand. The athlete who jumps the farthest wins. Each athlete usually gets several tries.

Fun Facts

  • The world record for the long jump is almost 9 meters.
  • Long jump has been in the Olympics since 1896.
  • Athletes use sand pits so they land safely.

Did You Know?

Mike Powell set the long jump world record in 1991, and no one has beaten it since.