Bob Beamon


Beamon, (Robert) Bob

(1946– ) track and field athlete; born in New York City. In the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City, he set a world long jump record (29 ft. 2½ in./8.90m) that exceeded the previous record by nearly 22 in./0.55m. The mark lasted 23 years, longer than any track and field record in history.