Does anybody know why the long jump has not continued to improve like so many other records have? Why don't we jump like we used to? Why are some sports still getting faster and better, and this particular event has hit a dead end? Did Mike Powell reach the total human limit (Or Lewis if you want to count his foul)?
There has to be a limit, right? When will the last record be set in any given human accomplishment?
I recall reading something by a kinesiologist saying that the human body starts to rip apart if it runs as fast as Usain Bolt, indicating that we may be near the final record in sprinting. Is 30 feet the total human limit for jumping?
Better drug testing. And, yeah, the human body can only do so much. A math/physics/biometrics expert can probably explain how a combination of bone, ligament and muscle can only achieve so much.
I just really admire athletes who always take care of business, especially when everyone is depending on them and expecting them to win. That is my memory of Carl Lewis- he always came through when he, his team and his country needed him to.
Way to go, Joe. You have done it again, not unlike Carl Lewis. Great story. Great reminder of Carl on the field. My personal list of transcendent moments includes Usain Bolt looking back smiling as he wins the gold. Thanks.
Joe, I was at that event - the National Sports Festival was absolutely huge in Indy and for a young kid, it was better than the Olympics. It was a new venue, a fast track, a perfect weather night. I can't believe there's not video of this - I know at least one sports guy (Don Hines) was on site. The jump was majestic and the packed house knew how big that jump was.
I so miss a time when our athletic heroes ran the gamut. When they were not just football and basketball players. Where have the boxers gone, the sprinters, the sailors, the jockeys, the open wheel racers in this country, even the baseball players the whole country knows. I blame ESPN. Before it had the rights to the biggest events, SportsCenter was like a 1970s sports page. The World Wide Leader is rich. We're poorer.
I hate you. I've been writing track and field stories for more than 50 years and I think I'm pretty good at it. You've written like 1 and you killed it.
Just one thing -- 11 years later. Evelyn Lewis, Carl's mom may have had even more to do with this long jumping than his wonderful dad did. But you're excused for that because the story is terrific.
I once met Carl Lewis at our track sectional championship in New Jersey--he was chatting with my coach and I had to long jump in front of him. I managed my best jump ever--a mere 13 feet off the world record!
Carl Lewis is the best …. beep …. beep … beep “… We interrupt this regular programming w breaking (sports related) news … Alcohol sales — beer— has been BANNED at FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar.” Pos hasn’t commented on it, but sports newsworthy as such an announcement is (Deacon! Butkus! Miller Lite) am sure he will. Wow. That is outrageous. If this had been announced as part of Qatar's bid package for WC, no $ amount of ME bribes paid to the Swiss would have enabled Qatar to even whisper ‘World Cup’. US would have hosted this cycle, as was originally planned. Which really goes to show how blatant bribes & corruption are in sports (hello FTX, MGM betting, etc.). I for one will enjoy hoisting pints from my couch, not watching FIFA WC, until of course the Woman’s WC which !surprise! isn’t being held in ‘friendliest place for women on Earth (Qatar)’. Instead will be in Australia/NZ, two places wee guess suggests likely to be a little ’wetter’ than desert known as Qatar. We now return you to the regular programming … … is the greatest athlete in my lifetime. Bo might have been better, had his career not been derailed by football injury.
One of the best columns ever
Does anybody know why the long jump has not continued to improve like so many other records have? Why don't we jump like we used to? Why are some sports still getting faster and better, and this particular event has hit a dead end? Did Mike Powell reach the total human limit (Or Lewis if you want to count his foul)?
There has to be a limit, right? When will the last record be set in any given human accomplishment?
I recall reading something by a kinesiologist saying that the human body starts to rip apart if it runs as fast as Usain Bolt, indicating that we may be near the final record in sprinting. Is 30 feet the total human limit for jumping?
Better drug testing. And, yeah, the human body can only do so much. A math/physics/biometrics expert can probably explain how a combination of bone, ligament and muscle can only achieve so much.
Great article. I don't know much about American sport (I'm a Kiwi) but I love the humour. Cheers.
I just really admire athletes who always take care of business, especially when everyone is depending on them and expecting them to win. That is my memory of Carl Lewis- he always came through when he, his team and his country needed him to.
Excuse my T&F ignorance, but do they still use judges in top-level competitions for fouls? Or is it done with technology (like Hawkeye)?
This one made me switch to a paid subscription. Thanks, Joe.
Way to go, Joe. You have done it again, not unlike Carl Lewis. Great story. Great reminder of Carl on the field. My personal list of transcendent moments includes Usain Bolt looking back smiling as he wins the gold. Thanks.
1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, I was there and saw Carl Lewis win multiple gold medals, thanks for rekindling the memories!
Joe-Like Carl Lewis, you nailed it.
Joe, I was at that event - the National Sports Festival was absolutely huge in Indy and for a young kid, it was better than the Olympics. It was a new venue, a fast track, a perfect weather night. I can't believe there's not video of this - I know at least one sports guy (Don Hines) was on site. The jump was majestic and the packed house knew how big that jump was.
I so miss a time when our athletic heroes ran the gamut. When they were not just football and basketball players. Where have the boxers gone, the sprinters, the sailors, the jockeys, the open wheel racers in this country, even the baseball players the whole country knows. I blame ESPN. Before it had the rights to the biggest events, SportsCenter was like a 1970s sports page. The World Wide Leader is rich. We're poorer.
I hate you. I've been writing track and field stories for more than 50 years and I think I'm pretty good at it. You've written like 1 and you killed it.
Just one thing -- 11 years later. Evelyn Lewis, Carl's mom may have had even more to do with this long jumping than his wonderful dad did. But you're excused for that because the story is terrific.
Did I tell you I hate you?
Paul Schwartz
I once met Carl Lewis at our track sectional championship in New Jersey--he was chatting with my coach and I had to long jump in front of him. I managed my best jump ever--a mere 13 feet off the world record!
Don't be too hard on yourself. High school record is only 26'10"
And not by Carl Lewis
Loved this article the first time I read it. Still love it now.
What an incredible article!
Carl Lewis is the best …. beep …. beep … beep “… We interrupt this regular programming w breaking (sports related) news … Alcohol sales — beer— has been BANNED at FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar.” Pos hasn’t commented on it, but sports newsworthy as such an announcement is (Deacon! Butkus! Miller Lite) am sure he will. Wow. That is outrageous. If this had been announced as part of Qatar's bid package for WC, no $ amount of ME bribes paid to the Swiss would have enabled Qatar to even whisper ‘World Cup’. US would have hosted this cycle, as was originally planned. Which really goes to show how blatant bribes & corruption are in sports (hello FTX, MGM betting, etc.). I for one will enjoy hoisting pints from my couch, not watching FIFA WC, until of course the Woman’s WC which !surprise! isn’t being held in ‘friendliest place for women on Earth (Qatar)’. Instead will be in Australia/NZ, two places wee guess suggests likely to be a little ’wetter’ than desert known as Qatar. We now return you to the regular programming … … is the greatest athlete in my lifetime. Bo might have been better, had his career not been derailed by football injury.