What is the triple jump all about?

Question

Sorrry, I just dont get it!

Many of the athletic sports are based on survival skills from the ancient games but this? It looks like a poor substitute for the long jump. Power into the first step, loose a load of energy and momentum into the second then a last desperate leap finish.

So the real question should be when was it introduced and why?

Answer 1

the triple jump takes far more skill than most people think.  The discipline is to have lost as little speed as possible in the three phases and it's h**l on the knees and ankles.

The world record stands at 18.29m or 60 foot set in 1995 Jonathan Edwards GBR.

Answer 2

Triple jump has been in the Olympics since it started in 1896. Used to be hop step and jump. I used to be good at it at school. Part of the skill is not to over hop, because you lose too much speed if you do. You have to keep as much forward momentum as possible over the three fazes. There are literally dozens of Olympic events that should be kicked out before the triple jump.

The world record for standing jump is 3.71 metres set In 1968. It was an Olympic event until 1911.

Answer 3

I thought it was a hop, skip and a jump

Answer 4

oh! Steve T nicked my answer lol

Answer 5

Purely to annoy you!

Answer 6

It is a hop then a skip then a jump. I sthis just because you aren't good at any sports?

Answer 7

It involves a Hop,a step and a Jump and has existed ever since my schooldays in 1950s!

Answer 8

It annoys me too. why bother with the run up. they may as well just jump from a standing position.