Bob Beamon

American long jumper (born 1946) Bob BeamonBeamon in 1992Personal informationNationalityAmericanBornRobert Beamon (1946-08-29) August 29, 1946 (age 80)South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, U.S.Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)Weight154 lb (70 kg)SportCountry United StatesSportTrack and fieldEventLong jumpCollege teamThe University of Texas at El PasoAchievements and titlesPersonal best8.90 m OR (Mexico City 1968) Medal record Men's athletics Representing the United States Olympic Games 1968 Mexico City Long jump Pan American Games 1967 Winnipeg Long jump Robert Beamon (born August 29, 1946) is an American former track and field athlete, best known for his world record in the long jump at the Mexico City Olympics in 1968. By jumping 8.90 m (29 ft 2+1⁄4 in), he broke the existing record by a margin of 55 cm (21+3⁄4 in) and his world record stood for almost 23 years until it was broken in 1991 by Mike Powell. The jump is still the Olympic record and the second-longest in history unassisted by wind. Early life Robert Beamon was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York, to Naomi Brown Beamon and grew up in the New York Housing Authority's Jamaica Houses. When Beamon was eleven months old, his