triple jump

The term triple jump can already be found in the Olympic Games of antiquity, where, however, the sum of 3 individual jumps was evaluated. In the USA, the jump sequence "hop - step - jump" was used from the end of the 19th century and was later declared generally binding by the International Association of Athletics Associations (IAAF). The sport was initially not recognized in Germany.

In triple jump, the competitor runs on a runway to a take-off board. The jump is measured from this, the take-off bar is at least international 11 m from the sand-filled jumping pit. The first landing behind the take-off board must be made with the take-off foot. This is followed by landing with the other foot and then jumping into the sand pit. Each jumper has 6 attempts in a competition.

The athlete achieves the greatest distance when he makes the best possible use of the high horizontal speed achieved during the run-up up to the third jump. Basically, 2 jump styles come into question, very strong triple jumpers achieve the greatest possible distance in the first jump and also jump relatively high in the following ones. High-speed triple jumpers, on the other hand, try to lose as little speed as possible in the first two jumps.

The first proven record jump in the prescribed sequence of steps dates back to 1911 and was recognized by the IAAF as the first world record.

Up until 1931, the triple jump record was always held by British, Irish or US triple jumpers. The world record with the longest standing was the 17.89 m by the Brazilian Adhemar Ferreira Da Silva (1975), which was only surpassed in 1995.

The triple jump has been an Olympic discipline since the Olympic Games began in 1896. The women's triple jump has also been an Olympic event since 1996.