Triple jump facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AthleticsTriple jump |
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World records | |
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Olympic records | |
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World Championship records | |
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The triple jump is an exciting track and field event. It is a "horizontal jump," much like the long jump. Athletes run down a track and perform three continuous movements: a hop, a step, and then a jump into a sand pit. This event has been part of the modern Olympics since they began in 1896.
The current male world record holder is Jonathan Edwards from the United Kingdom. He jumped an amazing 18.29 m (59 ft 11.95374016 in) meters. For women, the world record belongs to Yulimar Rojas from Venezuela. Her incredible jump was 15.74 m (51 ft 7.56003937 in) meters.
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A Look Back: History of Triple Jump
People sometimes thought that very long jumps in the ancient Olympic Games were actually triple jumps. This idea came from old stories. However, there is no clear proof that the triple jump was in the ancient Olympics. The very long distances mentioned might have been exaggerated in poems.
The triple jump was included in the very first modern Olympics in 1896. This happened in Athens, Greece. Back then, the jump was a bit different. It involved two hops on the same foot, then a final jump. The first modern Olympic champion was James Connolly, who won the triple jump.
Early Olympics also had a "standing triple jump." In this version, athletes started without a run-up. This event is not part of the Olympics anymore. The women's triple jump was added to the Olympics in 1996, at the Atlanta Games.
In Irish mythology, there was an event called "geal-ruith." This was a triple jump. It was part of the ancient Irish Tailteann Games. These games date back as far as 1829 BC.
How to Triple Jump: The Technique
The triple jump involves three smooth, continuous phases. Athletes need to keep their speed and balance through each part. This helps them jump as far as possible.
The Approach Run
The approach is the first and very important part of the jump. The athlete sprints down a special runway. They aim for a takeoff mark. This mark is usually a wooden board or a painted line.
To make sure athletes don't step over the mark, there's often a strip of clay or tape. If any part of the foot goes past the mark, it's a "foul." The takeoff boards are placed at different distances from the sand pit. This depends on how far the athlete can jump. Common distances are 40 feet, 32 feet, and 24 feet from the pit.
The Hop Phase
The hop is the first of the three main phases. The athlete takes off from the board using one leg. For example, if they use their right leg to take off, they must land on the same right leg.
The goal of the hop is to move forward with power. The landing from the hop is very active. The athlete uses their takeoff leg to push backward strongly. This helps them keep their speed for the next part.
The Step Phase
The step phase starts right after the hop landing. The athlete uses the momentum from the hop. They immediately jump forward and upward. The other leg (the left leg in our example) helps with this takeoff. It moves like a powerful bounding motion.
In the air, the athlete holds a specific position. The takeoff leg (right leg) is bent behind them. The other leg (left leg) is leading, bent at the hip and knee. Then, the athlete extends the leading leg. They quickly bring it backward to land. This landing also involves a strong backward push. The goal is to take the longest step possible while staying balanced.
The Jump Phase
The jump is the final phase. It starts from the landing of the step. The athlete uses the force from the step to take off one last time. This part is similar to a long jump. However, athletes usually have less speed by now. They often use a "hang" or "sail" technique to get more distance.
When landing, the athlete lands in a sand-filled pit. They try to land without sitting back. They also try not to place their hands behind their feet. The sandpit usually starts 13 meters from the takeoff board for men's international events. For women and club-level men, it's usually 11 meters. Each part of the triple jump should flow smoothly. The landings should have a regular rhythm.
What is a Foul?
A "foul" means a jump doesn't count. This can happen for a few reasons:
- The jumper steps over the takeoff mark.
- The jumper misses the sand pit completely.
- The jumper does not use the correct foot sequence (hop on same foot, step on other foot, jump).
- The jumper takes too long to make the attempt (usually about 90 seconds).
If a foul happens, an official will raise a red flag. The next jumper then gets ready. It is not a foul if an athlete's "sleeping leg" (the non-takeoff leg) touches the ground.
Amazing Records in Triple Jump
Here are some of the best triple jump records around the world.
- As of March 2022[update]
Area | Men's | Women's | ||
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Mark | Athlete | Mark | Athlete | |
World | 18.29 m (59 ft 11.95374016 in) | ![]() |
15.74 m (51 ft 7.56003937 in) i | ![]() |
Continental records | ||||
Africa | 18.07 m (59 ft 3.29232284 in) i | ![]() |
15.39 m (50 ft 5.78051181 in) | ![]() |
Asia | 17.59 m (57 ft 8.39468504 in) | ![]() |
15.25 m (50 ft 0.26870079 in) | ![]() |
Europe | 18.29 m (59 ft 11.95374016 in) | ![]() |
15.50 m (50 ft 10.11122048 in) | ![]() |
North, Central America and Caribbean |
18.21 m (59 ft 8.80413386 in) | ![]() |
15.29 m (50 ft 1.84350394 in) | ![]() |
Oceania | 17.46 m (57 ft 3.27657481 in) | ![]() |
14.04 m (46 ft 0.63090552 in) | ![]() |
South America | 17.90 m (58 ft 8.59940945 in) | ![]() |
15.74 m (51 ft 7.56003937 in) i | ![]() |
Note: results cannot count towards records if they are wind-assisted (meaning the wind was blowing too strongly, over 2.0 m/s).
Champions of the Triple Jump
Many incredible athletes have won medals in the triple jump at major competitions.
Olympic Champions
Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
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1896 Athens |
James Brendan Connolly![]() |
Alexandre Tuffère![]() |
Ioannis Persakis![]() |
1900 Paris |
Myer Prinstein![]() |
James Brendan Connolly![]() |
Lewis Sheldon![]() |
1904 St. Louis |
Myer Prinstein![]() |
Fred Englehardt![]() |
Robert Stangland![]() |
1908 London |
Tim Ahearne![]() |
Garfield MacDonald![]() |
Edvard Larsen![]() |
1912 Stockholm |
Gustaf Lindblom![]() |
Georg Åberg![]() |
Erik Almlöf![]() |
1920 Antwerp |
Vilho Tuulos![]() |
Folke Jansson![]() |
Erik Almlöf![]() |
1924 Paris |
Nick Winter![]() |
Luis Brunetto![]() |
Vilho Tuulos![]() |
1928 Amsterdam |
Mikio Oda![]() |
Levi Casey![]() |
Vilho Tuulos![]() |
1932 Los Angeles |
Chūhei Nambu![]() |
Erik Svensson![]() |
Kenkichi Oshima![]() |
1936 Berlin |
Naoto Tajima![]() |
Masao Harada![]() |
Jack Metcalfe![]() |
1948 London |
Arne Åhman![]() |
George Avery![]() |
Ruhi Sarıalp![]() |
1952 Helsinki |
Adhemar da Silva![]() |
Leonid Shcherbakov![]() |
Asnoldo Devonish![]() |
1956 Melbourne |
Adhemar da Silva![]() |
Vilhjálmur Einarsson![]() |
Vitold Kreyer![]() |
1960 Rome |
Józef Szmidt![]() |
Vladimir Goryaev![]() |
Vitold Kreyer![]() |
1964 Tokyo |
Józef Szmidt![]() |
Oleg Fedoseyev![]() |
Viktor Kravchenko![]() |
1968 Mexico City |
Viktor Saneyev![]() |
Nelson Prudêncio![]() |
Giuseppe Gentile![]() |
1972 Munich |
Viktor Saneyev![]() |
Jörg Drehmel![]() |
Nelson Prudêncio![]() |
1976 Montreal |
Viktor Saneyev![]() |
James Butts![]() |
João Carlos de Oliveira![]() |
1980 Moscow |
Jaak Uudmäe![]() |
Viktor Saneyev![]() |
João Carlos de Oliveira![]() |
1984 Los Angeles |
Al Joyner![]() |
Mike Conley![]() |
Keith Connor![]() |
1988 Seoul |
Khristo Markov![]() |
Igor Lapshin![]() |
Aleksandr Kovalenko![]() |
1992 Barcelona |
Mike Conley![]() |
Charles Simpkins![]() |
Frank Rutherford![]() |
1996 Atlanta |
Kenny Harrison![]() |
Jonathan Edwards![]() |
Yoelbi Quesada![]() |
2000 Sydney |
Jonathan Edwards![]() |
Yoel García![]() |
Denis Kapustin![]() |
2004 Athens |
Christian Olsson![]() |
Marian Oprea![]() |
Danil Burkenya![]() |
2008 Beijing |
Nelson Évora![]() |
Phillips Idowu![]() |
Leevan Sands![]() |
2012 London |
Christian Taylor![]() |
Will Claye![]() |
Fabrizio Donato![]() |
2016 Rio de Janeiro |
Christian Taylor![]() |
Will Claye![]() |
Dong Bin![]() |
2020 Tokyo |
Pedro Pichardo![]() |
Zhu Yaming![]() |
Hugues Fabrice Zango![]() |
2024 Paris |
Jordan Díaz Fortún![]() |
Pedro Pichardo![]() |
Andy Díaz Hernández![]() |
Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
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1996 Atlanta |
Inessa Kravets![]() |
Inna Lasovskaya![]() |
Šárka Kašpárková![]() |
2000 Sydney |
Tereza Marinova![]() |
Tatyana Lebedeva![]() |
Olena Hovorova![]() |
2004 Athens |
Françoise Mbango Etone![]() |
Hrysopiyí Devetzí![]() |
Tatyana Lebedeva![]() |
2008 Beijing |
Françoise Mbango Etone![]() |
Olga Rypakova![]() |
Yargelis Savigne![]() |
2012 London |
Olga Rypakova![]() |
Caterine Ibargüen![]() |
Olha Saladukha![]() |
2016 Rio de Janeiro |
Caterine Ibargüen![]() |
Yulimar Rojas![]() |
Olga Rypakova![]() |
2020 Tokyo |
Yulimar Rojas![]() |
Patrícia Mamona![]() |
Ana Peleteiro![]() |
2024 Paris |
Thea LaFond![]() |
Shanieka Ricketts![]() |
Jasmine Moore![]() |
World Champions
Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
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1983 Helsinki |
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1987 Rome |
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1991 Tokyo |
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1993 Stuttgart |
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1995 Gothenburg |
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1997 Athens |
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1999 Seville |
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2001 Edmonton |
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2003 Saint-Denis |
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2005 Helsinki |
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2007 Osaka |
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2009 Berlin |
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2011 Daegu |
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2013 Moscow |
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2015 Beijing |
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2017 London |
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2019 Doha |
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2022 Eugene |
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2023 Budapest |
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Championships | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
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1993 Stuttgart |
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1995 Gothenburg |
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1997 Athens |
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1999 Seville |
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2001 Edmonton |
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2003 Saint-Denis |
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2005 Helsinki |
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2007 Osaka[B] |
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2009 Berlin |
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2011 Daegu |
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2013 Moscow |
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2015 Beijing |
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2017 London |
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2019 Doha |
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2022 Eugene |
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2023 Budapest |
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Note
- B The original bronze medalist (Hrysopiyi Devetzi of Greece) was disqualified for doping in 2016. The medal was given to Anna Pyatykh but later in 2017 she was disqualified for the use of steroids.
Indoor World Champions
Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
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1985 Paris |
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1987 Indianapolis |
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1989 Budapest |
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1991 Seville |
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1993 Toronto |
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1995 Barcelona |
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1997 Paris |
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1999 Maebashi |
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2001 Lisbon |
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2003 Birmingham |
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2004 Budapest |
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2006 Moscow |
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2008 Valencia |
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2010 Doha |
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2012 Istanbul |
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2014 Sopot |
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2016 Portland |
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2018 Birmingham |
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2022 Belgrade |
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2024 Glasgow |
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2025 Nanjing |
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- Known as the World Indoor Games
- The original bronze medalist (Almir dos Santos of Brazil) was disqualified for wearing non-regulation shoes.
Games | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
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1993 Toronto |
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1995 Barcelona |
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1997 Paris |
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1999 Maebashi |
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2001 Lisbon |
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2003 Birmingham |
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2004 Budapest |
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2006 Moscow |
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2008 Valencia |
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2010 Doha |
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2012 Istanbul |
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2014 Sopot |
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2016 Portland |
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2018 Birmingham |
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2022 Belgrade |
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2024 Glasgow |
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Images for kids
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Phases of Phillips Idowu jumping at the 2008 Summer Olympics
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Yulimar Rojas landing the women's world record triple jump at the 2022 World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade on 20 March 2022