# Triple Jump -- What's that all about? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 11, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629 "2005-08-11T20:04:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/1 "2005-08-11T20:04:04Z")
Watching the games in Helsinki, I’m once again baffled by the triple jump… Jump high, jump long, use a stick to jump even higher, jump over obstacles while running, run fast, run long, throw heavy stuff, throw javelins – all reasonable. Once upon a time it was good to be able to run fast, long, throw things, etc, and it all developed into sports. But what’s that triple jump all about? ---
**Author:** ![hende](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/aca169/32.png) [@hende](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hende)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/2 "2005-08-11T20:07:02Z")
It’s about jumping three times… ---
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/3 "2005-08-11T20:23:38Z")
> [@hende](#): > > It’s about jumping three times… No, it’s not. Anyhow, that failed sarcasm aside, anybody know the historical background of this sport? ---
**Author:** ![plnnr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@plnnr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/plnnr)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/4 "2005-08-11T20:27:30Z")
IIRC, it took the place of the hop, skip, and jump event (no, I’m not kidding) or it is simply the “new” name for the original event. ---
**Author:** ![hende](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/aca169/32.png) [@hende](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hende)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/5 "2005-08-11T20:36:46Z")
oops this was supposed to be include in my original message… > [@](#): > > The triple jump is an athletics (track and field) event, previously also known as “hop, step and jump”, whose various names describe the actions a competitor takes. The athlete runs down a runway until he reaches a designated mark, from which the jump is measured. The takeoff mark is a board, and in modern championships a strip of plasticine is attached to the board to record athletes overstepping the mark. The first landing has to be done with the takeoff foot. The next phase is a step, landing on the opposite foot, and is followed by the jump, into a sand-filled box, as in the long jump. A “foul” or missed jump occurs when a jumper oversteppes the launch mark (most commonly), misses the pit entirely, or does not perform the attempt in the alloted amount of time (usually about one minute). > > The triple jump has been included in the modern Olympic Games since its first celebration in 1896. In fact, the first modern Olympic Champion, James Connolly, was a triple jumper, however, the event at this time consisted of two hops and a jump. In 1996, a triple jump event for women was added to the Olympics, having already been included in both the Outdoor World Championships and World Indoor Championships. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/6 "2005-08-11T20:41:06Z")
A lot of the field events in athletics (using the European parlance here) are a little weird. They are just not activities that people would normally do. They’re are many field events that have been discontinued, such as the standing long jump and standing high jump. Field events are sort of the poor stepchildren of athletics. People used to really like the high jump and pole vault, but they are hard to watch in person because they take so long. There’s a reason why track meets are usually shown on TV in an edited format. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/7 "2005-08-11T20:48:43Z")
A lot of Olympic events are based on military things. Perhaps the hop, step and jump was something that used to be used in infantry training. ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/8 "2005-08-11T21:14:54Z")
How do triple jump distances compare to long jump ones, if you measure them from the same point? ---
**Author:** ![CJJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecc23a/32.png) [@CJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CJJ)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/9 "2005-08-11T21:23:00Z")
The martial origins of many Olympic track and field events appears obvious. The triple jump, however, is a case of a mis-interpretation of a surviving Greek Olympic epigram. This anonymous verse, penned to record the feats of one Phaylos in the Olympics, states that he completed a long jump of about 55 feet. Based on Olympic-themed vase paintings, some 19th century scholars came to the conclusion that the ancient Greek long jump was actually a triple jump (based mainly on the distance claimed), and I think this is what led to the event being included in the first modern Olympics. Modern scholarship disputes this conclusion; instead, the believe is that the distance was measured from the start of an assumed short run-up to the jump point. A short (~30 foot) run-up fits with the fact that we know (again from vase paintings) the Greeks carried weights in this event (by slinging or throwing the weights to give them extra distance). ---
**Author:** ![mazinger\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@mazinger\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mazinger_z)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/10 "2005-08-11T21:28:42Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > How do triple jump distances compare to long jump ones, if you measure them from the same point? I was a jumper in high school, but not in college, but the only distances I remember were in college (just goofing off at practice). Typically, a triple jumper should jump a little more than twice the distance as a long jumper. It’s always held true for me. ---
**Author:** ![Future\_days](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cab0a1/32.png) [@Future\_days](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Future_days)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/11 "2005-08-11T21:28:55Z")
> [@SmackFu](#): > > How do triple jump distances compare to long jump ones, if you measure them from the same point? I think the world record is about 18 metres, by Jonathan Edwards of the UK. ---
**Author:** ![Future\_days](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cab0a1/32.png) [@Future\_days](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Future_days)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/12 "2005-08-11T21:30:04Z")
In fact I think it’s about 18 metres 75 centimetres. Something like that. Search on google for ethe exact figure. ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/13 "2005-08-11T21:39:34Z")
> [@Future days](#): > > I think the world record is about 18 metres, by Jonathan Edwards of the UK. 18.29 – you can see it [here](http://www.biomechanics.mai.ku.dk/triple.htm). Jonathan Edwards is one of my favorite Olympic athletes. As soon as I saw a thread about the triple jump, I thought of him. ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/14 "2005-08-11T21:46:22Z")
> [@BobT](#): > > A lot of the field events in athletics (using the European parlance here) are a little weird. They are just not activities that people would normally do. One track event comes to mind as well: The Steeplechase - Run around for a while and then we’ll place a hurdle for you to get over. If that’s not enough, we’ll place a small pool of water just past the hurdle so that your feet get wet. How da ya like them apples? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Mondegreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/91b2a8/32.png) [@Lord\_Mondegreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Mondegreen)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/15 "2005-08-12T05:04:48Z")
> [@Jackknifed Juggernaut](#): > > One track event comes to mind as well: The Steeplechase - Run around for a while and then we’ll place a hurdle for you to get over. If that’s not enough, we’ll place a small pool of water just past the hurdle so that your feet get wet. How da ya like them apples? Sure, it’s a little weird. However its origins seem clear - if you are running through the countryside you can expect to come across fences which need to be climbed over and puddles which need to be jumped. The triple jump on the other hand lacks an obvious real-life parallel. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/16 "2005-08-12T07:22:18Z")
> [@Lord Mondegreen](#): > > Sure, it’s a little weird. However its origins seem clear - if you are running through the countryside you can expect to come across fences which need to be climbed over and puddles which need to be jumped. > > The triple jump on the other hand lacks an obvious real-life parallel. The 3000 meter steeplechase is just a human version of a race that horses would have. It’s just been moved to a track and become standardized. But as for the throwing events, the discus and javelin have ancient counterparts. The shot put has apparently been around a while and it was the event that they moved to Olympia for the 2004 Games. The hammer throw is a bit weird since the present day hammer throw looks nothing like a hammer, but is more like a shot put on a wire. ---
**Author:** ![TastesLikeBurning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@TastesLikeBurning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TastesLikeBurning)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/17 "2005-08-12T09:40:45Z")
> [@Lord Mondegreen](#): > > …The triple jump on the other hand lacks an obvious real-life parallel. While a long stretch of the imagination, I’ve always equated the triple jump to a real life event similar to jumping across a divide of some description which is interspersed with small platforms. The small platforms requires the finesse of the hop and the step, while the final jump is the one that gets you safely to the other side. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/18 "2005-08-12T10:17:02Z")
Modern steeplechase events are sort of simulated cross-country races; originally on horseback, the races consisted of traversing hedges, fences, ditches, inclines and rough terrain on a course for which the finishing point was a rural church (literally a race toward the steeple). ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/19 "2005-08-12T12:22:54Z")
> [@TastesLikeBurning](#): > > While a long stretch of the imagination, I’ve always equated the triple jump to a real life event similar to jumping across a divide of some description which is interspersed with small platforms. The small platforms requires the finesse of the hop and the step, while the final jump is the one that gets you safely to the other side. Like Super Mario Bros.! ---
**Author:** ![Wakinyan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wakinyan/32/352_2.png) [@Wakinyan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wakinyan)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2005, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629/20 "2005-08-12T13:37:57Z")
> [@CJJ\*](#): > > The martial origins of many Olympic track and field events appears obvious. The triple jump, however, is a case of a mis-interpretation of a surviving Greek Olympic epigram. > > This anonymous verse, penned to record the feats of one Phaylos in the Olympics, states that he completed a long jump of about 55 feet. Based on Olympic-themed vase paintings, some 19th century scholars came to the conclusion that the ancient Greek long jump was actually a triple jump (based mainly on the distance claimed), and I think this is what led to the event being included in the first modern Olympics. > > Modern scholarship disputes this conclusion; instead, the believe is that the distance was measured from the start of an assumed short run-up to the jump point. A short (~30 foot) run-up fits with the fact that we know (again from vase paintings) the Greeks carried weights in this event (by slinging or throwing the weights to give them extra distance). That’s interesting, thanks for sharing, and perhaps we’ll never know. Strange thing is, it’s not about taking three giant steps, or jumping three times – if you look closely, the athlete starts off with one foot, and makes first “landing” on same foot(!), and the next landing with the other foot. It’s all very awkward and strange. Perhaps those 19th century fellas felt they had to add something out of the ordinary to justify this behaviour. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/triple-jump-whats-that-all-about/316629.md?page=2)