Bob Beamon

Bob Beamon (born in 1946) is a former track and field athete. He is best known for his world record in the long jump at the Mexico Olympics in 1968. The length measured was 8.90 m (29 ft. 2 1/2 in.). Beamon broke the old record by nearly two feet. He hold the record for more than 22 years. Beamon came to the University of Texas at El Paso in 1965, with a track and field scholarship. He was UTEP’s first NCAA individual champion, winning the long jump and triple jump at the 1968 indoor championships in Detroit. Two months later, the sophomore and several teammates were dismissed from the UTEP team for refusing to compete against Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. They alleged that it had racist policies. After setting the world record, Beamon competed irregularly and retired before the 1972 Olympics. Later he was a track coach, did youth work, and participated in various sports-related activities, including fund-raising for the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1984. In 1983 he was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Beamon is also a member of the UTEP Track & Field Hall of Fame.

Area: Central / University

Source: C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections, University of Texas at El Paso Library. Collection Name: Bob Beamon. Photo ID: Bob Beamon - [from Athletics] - Ath_Alum_Beamon,

Uploaded by: UTEP Library Special Collections