Olympics: The story behind the longest triple jump in the Games history

The Olympic Games, as the biggest sporting event, are the perfect place for athletes to push boundaries and achieve great feats. That’s why it is not surprising that many records have been broken in the Games throughout history. But what about two records breaking in the same competition? That was what happened in the men’s triple jump event in Atlanta 1996.

First, it’s safe to point out that there’s a difference between World records and Olympic records. World records can be made at the Olympics or any other athletic competitions, such as world championships or trials. However, an Olympic record can only be made at the Olympic Games. 

With that said, it’s time to check the story of the three longest Olympic triple jumps of all time. Prior to the 1996 Atlanta Games, British Jonathan Edwards set the world record a year before with a 18.29 jump in the world championships. However, the Olympic record was set at 17.63 in Barcelona 1992 by American Mike Conley. 

What’s the story of the men’s triple jump Olympic record? 

Coming into the competition, Jonathan Edwards not only had the world record but also was the only man to have jumped 18 meters. However, in the qualifying of the triple jump event he struggled to reach the 17 meters needed to enter the second round. He finally did and made the final event. 

Nevertheless, the spotlight was for another jumper, American Kenny Harrison. In the final, Harrison became the second best jumper in history (at the time) with a 17.99. Not happy with that, in his second attempt, he jumped 18.09m, to become the second man over the 18m and set a new Olympic record. On the other hand, Edwards jumped 17.88 meters to win silver that night.

Nobody has broken either Edwards world record nor Harrison Olympic record. The closest to the world record has been Christian Taylor with a 18.21 jump in the world championships in 2017. On the women’s side, the triple jump Olympic and World record is for Venezuelan Yulimar Rojas, who just broke it with a 15.67m jump to surpass 1995 Inessa Kravets world record of 15.50m.