The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a takeoff point. Along with the triple jump, the two events that measure jumping for distance as a group are referred to as the "horizontal jumps". This event has a history in the ancient Olympic Games and has been a modern Olympic event for men since the first Olympics in 1896 and for women since 1948.
Rules
At the elite level, competitors run down a runway (usually coated with the same rubberized surface as running tracks, crumb rubber or vulcanized rubber, known generally as an all-weather track) and jump as far as they can from a wooden or synthetic board, 20 centimetres or eight inches wide, that is built flush with the runway, into a pit filled with soft damp sand. If the competitor starts the leap with any part of the foot past the foul line, the jump is declared a foul and no distance is recorded. To detect this occurrence, a layer of plasticine is placed at a 90° angle immediately after the board. An official (similar to a referee) will also watch the jump and make the determination. In recent times, camera technology and laser sensors have replaced the plasticine at elite competitions (like Diamond League meetings). The competitor can initiate the jump from any point behind the foul line; however, the distance measured will always be perpendicular from the foul line to the nearest break in the sand caused by any part of the body or uniform. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the competitor to get as close to the foul line as possible. Competitors are allowed to place two marks along the side of the runway in order to assist them to jump accurately. At a lesser meet and facilities, the plasticine will likely not exist, the runway might be a different surface or jumpers may initiate their jump from a painted or taped mark on the runway. At a smaller meet, the number of attempts might also be limited to four or three. Each competitor has a set number of attempts. That would normally be three trials, with three additional jumps being awarded to the best eight or nine (depending on the number of lanes on the track at that facility, so the event is equatable to track events) competitors. All valid attempts will be recorded but only the best mark counts towards the results. The competitor with the longest valid jump (from either the trial or final rounds) is declared the winner at the end of competition. In the event of an exact tie, then comparing the next best jumps of the tied competitors will be used to determine place. In a large, multi-day elite competition (like the Olympics or World Championships), a qualification is held in order to select at least twelve finalists. Ties and automatic qualifying distances are potential factors. The qualification usually takes place in two groups, with each competitor having three attempts. In the final, a set of three trial rounds will be held, with the best eight performers advancing to the final rounds (attempts four to six). At the 2025 World Championships, the international athletics governing body World Athletics added a new procedure. After the three trial round jumps in the final, the top ten received an additional fourth attempt, the subsequent top eight a fifth attempt and the subsequent top six a final sixth attempt. (For specific rules and regulations in United States Track & Field see Rule 185) For record purposes, the maximum accepted wind assistance is two metres per second (4.5 mph).
Takeoff zone reform World Athletics considered fundamental rule changes to the long jump. In a test phase that began with the 2025 indoor season, athletes took off from a wider zone instead of the traditional takeoff board. This new 40-centimetre takeoff zone was introduced by World Athletics to reduce the number of invalid attempts (around 30 %) which had become common in recent years. The international athletics governing body was convinced that the new takeoff zone would not only improve fairness and excitement for the athletes but also provide a more thrilling experience for the spectators. Traditionally, the jump distance is measured perpendicularly from the foul line to the nearest break in the sand. Under the new trial, the measurement was instead taken from the exact point where the jumper's front foot left the zone. Consequently, the effective jump distance determined the outcome of the competition. During the test phase, the jumps were also recorded according to the traditional rules and were therefore eligible for records and top lists. On 5 December 2025, World Athletics announced that the testing phase had been completed and the reform had been ditched.
History
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