<Tr> <Th> Olympic </Th> <Td> Jackie Joyner 7.40 m (24 ft 3 ​ ⁄ in) (1988) </Td> </Tr> <P> The long jump (historically called the broad jump in the USA) 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 take off 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 . </P> <P> At the elite level, competitors run down a runway (usually coated with the same rubberized surface as running tracks, crumb rubber also vulcanized rubber--known generally as an all - weather track) and jump as far as they can from a wooden board 20 cm or 8 inches wide that is built flush with the runway into a pit filled with finely ground gravel or 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 . A layer of plasticine is placed immediately after the board to detect this occurrence . An official (similar to a referee) will also watch the jump and make the determination . The competitor can initiate the jump from any point behind the foul line; however, the distance measured will always be perpendicular to 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 . </P> <P> Each competitor has a set number of attempts . That would normally be three trials, with three additional jumps being awarded to the best 8 or 9 (depending on the number of lanes on the track at that facility, so the event is equatable to track events) competitors . All legal marks will be recorded but only the longest legal jump counts towards the results . The competitor with the longest legal jump (from either the trial or final rounds) at the end of competition is declared the winner . 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 set number of competitors will advance to the final round, determined in advance by the meet management . A set of 3 trial round jumps will be held in order to select those finalists . It is standard practice to allow at a minimum, one more competitor than the number of scoring positions to return to the final round, though 12 plus ties and automatic qualifying distances are also potential factors . (For specific rules and regulations in United States Track & Field see Rule 185). </P>

Where do you measure the long jump from