Bob Beamon facts for kids
Beamon in 1992
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Birth name | Robert Beamon | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | August 29, 1946 South Jamaica, Queens, New York City |
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| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 154 lb (70 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Track and field | |||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Long jump | |||||||||||||||||||
| College team | The University of Texas at El Paso | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Robert Beamon (born August 29, 1946) is a famous American former track and field athlete. He is best known for his amazing world record in the long jump. This incredible jump happened at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968.
Bob Beamon jumped 8.90 m (29 ft 2.26870079 in) meters, which was a huge 55 cm (21+3⁄4 in) farther than the old record! His world record lasted for almost 23 years. It was finally broken in 1991 by Mike Powell. Beamon's jump is still the Olympic record. It is also the second-longest jump in history that was not helped by wind.
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Bob Beamon's Early Life
Robert Beamon was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York. His mother, Naomi Brown Beamon, passed away when he was very young. Because of this, his grandmother, Bessie, raised him.
When Bob was in Jamaica High School, a famous track coach named Larry Ellis noticed his talent. Bob soon became part of the All-American track and field team. He started college at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Later, he moved to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) on a track and field scholarship.
Early Achievements
In 1965, Beamon set a national high school record in the triple jump. He also placed second in the long jump. In 1967, he won an indoor long jump title. He also earned a silver medal in the long jump at the Pan American Games.
Beamon and eleven other Black athletes were removed from the UTEP track team. This happened after they protested unfair teachings by boycotting a competition. Even though he lost his scholarship, Beamon went back to UTEP to finish his studies after the Mexico City Olympics. His friend and fellow Olympian, Ralph Boston, became his unofficial coach.
The Amazing 1968 Olympics Jump
Bob Beamon was the favorite to win the gold medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. He had won 22 out of 23 competitions that year. He almost didn't make it to the final! He stepped over the line on his first two tries in the qualifying round. With only one chance left, he carefully re-measured his run. He made a good jump that got him into the final.
In the final, he competed against other great long jumpers. These included Ralph Boston and Lynn Davies, who had won gold medals before.
The Record-Breaking Jump
On October 18, 1968, Beamon made history with his very first jump. He set a new world record in the long jump by jumping an incredible 8.90 m (29 ft 2.26870079 in) meters! This was 55 cm (21+3⁄4 in) farther than the old record.
When the announcer called out the distance, Beamon didn't understand it at first. He wasn't used to metric measurements. His teammate and coach, Ralph Boston, told him he had broken the world record by almost two feet. Beamon was so shocked and happy that his legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees! The defending Olympic champion, Lynn Davies, told Beamon, "You have destroyed this event." People even started using a new word, Beamonesque, to describe amazing and spectacular achievements.
Before Beamon's jump, the world record had been broken 13 times since 1901. The record usually increased by only about 6 cm (2+1⁄4 in) each time. Beamon's jump was a huge leap forward. For 23 years, his world record stood. It was finally broken in 1991 by Mike Powell, who jumped 8.95 m (29 ft 4.23720473 in) meters. However, Beamon's jump is still the Olympic record. It remains the second-longest jump in history that was not helped by wind.
After the Olympics
After the Mexico City Olympics, Bob Beamon was chosen by the Phoenix Suns in the NBA draft. However, he never played in an NBA game. In 1972, he earned a degree in sociology from Adelphi University.
In 1977, Beamon became a track coach at Alliant International University in San Diego. He has also worked to encourage young people in sports. He has collaborated with people like former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Beamon is also a graphic artist. His artwork has been shown by the Art of the Olympians (AOTO). He was also the former chief executive of the Art of the Olympians Museum. In 2024, Beamon played percussion on a hip-hop jazz recording.
Today, he is a Global Ambassador for Special Olympics International.
Awards and Recognition
Bob Beamon is a member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. When the United States Olympic Hall of Fame began in 1983, Beamon was one of the very first athletes to be included. There is even a street named Bob Beamon Street in El Paso, Texas.
Special Awards
- ANOC Gala Awards 2015: Outstanding Performance
See also
In Spanish: Bob Beamon para niños
