The U.S. Olympian Bob Beamon set the long jump distance record at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City when he hit 29 feet and 2 1/2 inches for the long jump. It took another 23 years before Beamon’s mark was beaten by Mike Powell who set a new record of 29 feet and 4 1/4 inches at the World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo in 1991.
While that wasn’t an Olympic jump, the furthest long jump at the 2012 London Games was achieved by the UK’s Greg Rutherford who managed a rather significant 27 feet and three inches.
Byron Nelson Sets An Impossible Record
When it comes to golf, not many can consistently maintain such records. Byron Nelson is a little different, however. In 1945, Nelson crushed it on the PGA tour and won 18 tournaments.
At this point in the game, he actually won 11 in a row. The closest to come to that winning streak was Tiger Woods, unfortunately for him, he has yet to beat that 1945 score.
Andre Agassi Never Broke A Sweat!
It seems even sports stars weren’t immune to being influenced by the trends of the time. Here, Andre Agassi is seen making his best George Michael impression on the court. Or is it Farrah Fawcett he’s going for? Whoever he was emulating, we really should cut him some slack. This picture was taken in 1988 (when Agassi was just 18 years of age), and long feathered hair was definitely in at the time.
While athletes certainly work up a sweat, as we saw with Flamin’ Mamie’s Bouffant Belles, that doesn’t mean they can’t hit it in style. So, next time you use “I just got back from the gym” as an excuse for looking sweaty and grungy, remember Agassi managed to maintain this perfectly coiffed look while performing at an elite level in front of a crowd of thousands.
Maxwell Fornah Shows Change is Possible
This touching photo shows a member of the Single Leg Amputee Sports Club competing for the ball. This shot shows the lasting pain caused among its citizens by the decade-long civil war in Sierra Leone and the human spirit that still dares to be great despite its scars from a horrible past.
The Single Leg Amputee Sports Club was founded by survivors of the war. Most of them are victims of landmines and have lost a leg or both. They formed this club to show to their society, and the world, that they are capable people; that they don’t want to beg for food, but would rather empower themselves. They are fighting against marginalization in their own communities.
Willie Mays Keeps His Eye on the Prize
On September 29, 1954, during the World Series, “The Say Hey Kid,” Willie Mays, runs in full throttle with eyes on the ball as it sails through the air. He would snag a defensive play, a maneuver he was well-known for, and the crowd was ecstatic, it was the first game of the 1954 World Series.
Willie Mays’ career spanned 22 years and was decorated with a number of National League MVP awards. This photograph gives us a glimpse of one of his heroic moves, conveying a deep fly ball to the centerfield. It was a crucial point in the match, and this helped the Giants maintain a 5-2 lead to win that game, and eventually sweep Cleveland for the title.