Long jump and triple jump are horizontal jumping events in athletics. Both need speed, strength and timing. They are governed by World Athletics, and by the Athletics Federation of India in the country. Here is how they work.
The long jump
An athlete sprints down a runway and jumps from a take off board into a sand pit. The aim is to jump as far as possible.
Take off and fouls
- The take off board has a line at its front edge, called the foul line.
- If any part of the foot crosses this line at take off, the jump is a foul and is not measured.
- Running through the pit without jumping, or taking off from beside the board, is also a foul.
Measuring
The jump is measured from the foul line to the nearest mark made in the sand by any part of the body. That is why jumpers try not to fall backwards after landing.
The triple jump
The triple jump is made of three phases in sequence:
- **Hop:** take off and land on the same foot
- **Step:** land on the other foot
- **Jump:** take off and land in the pit with both feet
Doing the phases in the wrong order or touching the ground with the wrong leg is a foul. The take off board in triple jump is placed further from the pit than in the long jump.
Competition format
In major championships, each athlete gets three attempts. The top eight then get three more. The best single legal jump counts. If two athletes are tied, the second best jump decides the winner.
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Wind rule
If the tailwind is more than 2.0 metres per second during a jump, the result counts for the competition but cannot be accepted as a record.
Indian stars
- **Anju Bobby George** won bronze in the long jump at the 2003 World Athletics Championships in Paris, India’s first medal at the World Championships.
- **Murali Sreeshankar** won silver in the long jump at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
- **Eldhose Paul** won gold and **Abdulla Aboobacker** won silver in the triple jump at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, a historic one two finish for India.
Tips for young athletes
- Practise a consistent run up so you hit the board without fouling.
- Work on sprint speed and leg strength.
- Learn safe landing technique.
Bottom line
In both jumps, a clean take off before the line and a good landing make all the difference. India has produced world class jumpers, and the sport is growing.
Source / स्रोत: World Athletics, Athletics Federation of India
