Bob Beamon

Date of Birth: August 29, 1946

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Biography

Bob Beamon, born Robert Beamon, is an American former track and field athlete best known for his world record in the long jump at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Born on August 29, 1946, in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, his early life was marked by hardship and the loss of his mother when he was just 8 months old. Raised by his grandmother, Beamon found solace in sports. Beamon attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) where he excelled in athletics, but his tenure there was cut short due to his involvement in a boycott of events in response to racial injustices. This, however, did not deter him from pursuing his athletic career. The defining moment of Beamon’s career came on October 18, 1968, during the Mexico City Olympics. He executed a long jump of 8.90 meters (29 feet 2.5 inches), shattering the previous world record by an astounding 55 centimeters (21.75 inches). This jump was so extraordinary that it led to the coining of the term “Beamonesque” to describe spectacular feats. After retiring from athletics, Beamon pursued a degree in sociology and embarked on various entrepreneurial ventures. He also became an advocate for youth and sports, leveraging his fame to support educational and athletic programs.

5 Interesting Facts about Bob Beamon

1. Bob Beamon’s jump at the 1968 Olympics was so unexpected that officials had to use a manual tape measure because their optical device couldn’t measure beyond 8.60 meters.

2. His world record in the long jump stood for 23 years until it was broken by Mike Powell in 1991.

3. Beamon was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1977.

4. He co-authored an autobiography titled “The Man Who Could Fly: The Bob Beamon Story.”

5. Bob Beamon’s jump is considered one of the greatest sports moments of the 20th century and was ranked 6th in Sports Illustrated’s list of the greatest sports moments.