Hall of Fame

Bob Beamon is an American long jumper who set the world record en route to the gold medal at the Olympic Games Mexico City 1968, jumping 8.90 meters (29 feet 2 1/2 inches) to surpass the former record by more than 21 inches. The Jamaica, New York, native was a state-record holder and Junior Olympian prior to competing at the Olympic Games Mexico City 1968, and he earned the silver medal in long jump at the 1967 Pan American Games. Following his athletic career, Beamon remains active within the Olympic Movement and has served as an ambassador to the Special Olympics, as well as developing his own motivational program, entitled “The Champion in You.”