Most of you reading this are probably aware that the 2012 London Olympics are in full swing. In case you did not know, more than 10,500 athletes from 204 countries are competing in this year’s games. Like the 29 Olympic Games that were held before this one, this year’s games promise to showcase some of the best athletics.
Today we’re featuring 3 Famous Olympic Athletes from Yesteryear. These 3 individuals have gone down in the annals of history as some of the best athletes in the Olympic Games.
Bob Beamon: This famous Olympic Athlete was born in 1946 in New York state in the United States. Beamon was discovered by a renowned track coach whilst attending high school. In 1965 he was ranked as the 2nd best long jumper in the United States. He was unofficially coached by Ralph Boston (who had won the gold medal in long jump at the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960).
Beamon entered the Olympic Games in Mexico City in 1968. He was ranked as the favorite in the long jump event. He stunned the world on the 18th of October 1968 when he broke the world long jump record at the Olympic Games in Mexico City. He reached a distance of 8,90 m, bettering the existing world record at the time with 55cm. He actually didn’t realize that he had done it. His teammate and unofficial coach Ralph Boston informed him and it caused him to collapse on his knees. His Long Jump World Record was only broken 23 years later in 1991 by American Mike Powell when he reached a distance of 8,95m.
This is video footage of Bob Beamon’s world record jump from 1968:
Carl Lewis: This famous Olympic sprinter and long jumper was born in 1961 in Birmingham, Alabama in the United States. Throughout his career he won 10 Olympic medals (9 of which were gold medals). He won 4 gold medals at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He had won the gold medal in the long jump, the 100m, the 200m and as team member of the 4 x 100m relay team. During his career Carl Lewis broke the ten seconds barrier for the 100 metres 15 times and the 20 seconds barrier for the 200 metres 10 times.
He was awarded the gold medal for the 100m event at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 after the initial winner, and Lewis’ arch rival, Ben Johnson (from Canada) was disqualified. It was found that Johnson had used steroids to enhance his performance. When his career ended Carl Lewis had 4 Olympic Games under his belt. He managed to win one last gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta in the long jump (at age 35).
Usain Bolt: The famous Olympic sprinter was born in 1986 in Trelawny, Jamaica. Usain Bolt won 3 Olympic gold medals in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics. He broke the both the 100m and 200m World Records and was a member of Jamaican 4 x 100m relay team at the games. He became the first man to win three sprinting events at a single Olympics since Carl Lewis. He ran the 100m in a time of 9.69 seconds and the 200m in a time of 19.30 seconds.
Usain Bolt could most probably be the fastest man on earth. He’s the current World Record Holder in the 100m and 200m. He bettered his Beijing times in 2009 in Berlin. He currently holds the 100m World Record of 9.58 seconds and the 200m World Record of 19.19 seconds. He’s competing in the 2012 London Olympics and he’s definitely of the athletes to watch at this year’s games.
This is a video clip showcasing Usain Bolt’s 100m and 200m runs at the 2008 Beijing Olympics:
We trust that you have found this post featuring 3 Notable Olympic Athletes of Yesteryear interesting. If you know of another that could be mentioned on this post, leave a comment and let us know. Feedback is appreciated and welcome on the Junk Mail blog.
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