The long jump became part of the women’s Olympic track and field program in 1948. Athletes representing Brazil, Federal Republic of Germany, Great Britain, German Democratic Republic, Germany, Hungary, Nigeria, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Russia, Soviet Union, and the United States have won the event. Germans have won the event four times, with Heidemarie Rosendahl, representing the Federal Republic of Germany, in 1972; Angela Voigt, representing the German Democratic Republic, in 1976; and Heike Drechsler, representing Germany, in 1992 and 2000. Drechsler, the only woman to win the Olympic long jump title more than once, also garnered the silver medal as a representative of the German Democratic Republic in 1988.
Six (6) athletes have won more than one medal in the history of the Olympic long jump final. Heike Drechsler (Daute) (Germany/German Democratic Republic) leads the individual medal count with 3 (2 gold, 1 silver), followed by Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) with 3 (1 gold, 2 bronze), Elzbieta Krzesinska (Poland) with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Tatyana Lebedeva (Russia) with 2 (1 gold, 1 silver), Fiona May (Italy) with 2 silver, and Tatyana Kotova (Russia) with 2 bronze medals.
Nineteen (19) nations/teams have won medals in the Olympic long jump final. The Soviet Union leads the medal count with 9 (2 gold, 1 silver, 6 bronze), followed by Russia with 5 (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), the United States with 5 (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze), the German Democratic Republic with 4 (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), Great Britain with 4 (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), Romania with 3 (2 gold, 1 silver), Poland with 3 (1 gold, 2 silver), Germany with 2 gold medals, Nigeria with 2 (1 gold, 1 bronze medal), Italy with 2 silver medals, Brazil with 1 gold, the Federal Republic of Germany with q gold, Hungary with 1 gold, New Zealand with 1 gold, Argentina with 1 silver, Bulgaria with 1 silver, the Commonwealth of Independent States with 1 silver, Sweden with 1 bronze, and Czechoslovakia with 1 bronze.
Thirty (30) nations/teams have scored points in the Olympic long jump final. The Soviet Union leads scoring with 85 points, followed by the United States (63), German Democratic Republic (54), Russia (46), Federal Republic of Germany (42), Poland (40), Romania (40), Great Britain (37), Germany (25), Australia (20), Hungary (18), Italy (16), Nigeria (16), Commonwealth of Independent States (12), New Zealand (12), Czechoslovakia (12), Bulgaria (11), Netherlands (11), Brazil (10), Argentina (8), Jamaica (8), Sweden (6), Cuba (5), France (5), Greece (5), Bahamas (4), Ukraine (4), India (3), Switzerland (3), Norway (2).
(Points for Place: 1st=10 points; 2nd =8 points; 3rd=6 points; 4th=5 points; 5th =4 points; 6th=3 points; 7th=2 points; 8th=1 point)
From 1956 to 1964, both the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) competed as a single team. From 1968 to 1988, they competed separately, reuniting as a single German team in 1992, after German reunification in 1991.
Following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, the former Soviet Socialist Republics, expect for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, competed as the Commonwealth of Independent States, or the “Unified Team” in 1992.
World and Olympic records noted are the records immediately before the final, including marks established in the qualifying rounds.
1948 London (August 4)
World Record: 6.25 meters (20 feet 6.25 inches) Fanny Blankers-Koen (Netherlands) September 19, 1943
Olympic Record: 5.640 meters Yvonne Chabot-Curtet (France) August 4, 1948
1, Olga Gyarmati (Hungary) 5.695 meters (18 feet 8.25 inches)
2, Noemi Simonetto De Portela (Argentina) 5.600 meters (18 feet 4.25 inches)
3, Ann-Britt Leyman (Sweden) 5.575 meters (18 feet 3.25 inches)
4, Gerda van der Kade-Koudijs (Netherlands) 5.570 meters (18 feet 3.25 inches)
5, Neeltje Karelse (Netherlands) 5.545 meters (18 feet 2.25 inches)
6, Kathleen Russell (Jamaica) 5.495 meters (18 feet 0.25 inches)
7, Judy Canty (Australia) 5.380 meters (17 feet 7.75 inches)
8, Yvonne Chabot-Curtet (France) 5.350 meters (17 feet 6.5 inches)
1952 Helsinki (July 23)
World Record: 6.25 meters (20 feet 6.25 inches) Fanny Blankers-Koen (Netherlands) September 19, 1943
Olympic Record: 6.16 meters Yvette Williams (New Zealand) July 23, 1952
1, Yvette Williams (New Zealand) 6.24 meters (20 feet 5.75 inches)
2, Aleksandra Chudina (Soviet Union/Russia) 6.14 meters (20 feet 1.75 inches)
3, Shirley Cawley (Great Britain) 5.92 meters (19 feet 5.25 inches)
4, Irmgard Schmelzer (Germany/FRG) 5.90 meters (19 feet 4.25 inches)
5, Wilhelmina Lust (Netherlands) 5.81 meters (19 feet 0.75 inches)
6, Nina Tyurkina (Soviet Union/Russia) 5.81 meters (19 feet 0.75 inches)
7, Mabel “Dolly” Landry (United States) 5.75 meters 18 feet 10.5 inches)
8, Verna Johnson (Australia) 5.74 meters (18 feet 10 inches)
1956 Melbourne (November 27)
World Record: 6.35 meters (20 feet 10 inches) Elzbieta Krzesinska (Poland) August 20, 1956
Olympic Record: 6.24 meters (20 feet 5.75 inches) Yvette Williams (New Zealand) July 23, 1952
1, Elzbieta Krzesinska (Poland) 6.35 meters (20 feet 10 inches)
2, Willye White (United States) 6.09 meters (19 feet 11.75 inches)
3, Nadezhda Dvalishchvili (Soviet Union/Georgia) 6.07 meters (19 feet 11 inches)
4, Erika Fisch (Germany/FRG) 5.89 meters (19 feet 4 inches)
5, Marthe Lambert (France) 5.88 meters (19 feet 3.5 inches)
6, Valentina Schaprunova (Soviet Union/Russia) 5.85 meters (19 feet 2.25)
7, Beverly Weigel (New Zealand) 5.85 meters (19 feet 2.25)
8, Nancy Borwick (Australia) 5.82 meters (19 feet 1.25 inches)
1960 Rome (August 31)
World Record: 6.40 meters (21 feet 0 inches) Hildrun Claus (German Democratic Republic) August 7, 1960
Olympic Record: 6.35 meters (20 feet 10 inches) Elzbieta Krzesinska (Poland) November 27, 1956
1, Vira Krepkina (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 6.37 meters (20 feet 10.7.5 inches)
2, Elzbieta Krzesinska (Poland) 6.27 meters (20 feet 7 inches)
3, Hildrun Claus (Germany/GDR) 6.21 meters (20 feet 4.5 inches)
4, Renate Junker (Germany/FRG) 6.19 meters (20 feet 3.75 inches)
5, Lyudmyla Radchenko (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 6.16 meters (20 feet 2.5 inches)
6, Helga Hoffmann (Germany/FRG) 6.11 meters (20 feet 0.5 inch)
7, Johanna Bijleveld (Netherlands) 6.11 meters (20 feet 0.5 inch)
8, Valentina Schaprunova (Soviet Union/Russia) 6.01 meters (19 feet 8.75 inches)
1964 Tokyo (October 14)
World Record: 6.70 meters (21 feet 11.75 inches) Tatyana Schelkanova (Soviet Union) July 4, 1964
Olympic Record: 6.52 meters Mary Rand (Great Britain) October 14, 1964
1, Mary Rand (Great Britain) 6.76 meters (22 feet 2.25 inches)
2, Irena Kirszenetein (Poland) 6.60 meters (21 feet 8 inches)
3, Tatyana Schelkanova (Soviet Union) 6.42 meters (21 feet 0.75 inches)
4, Ingrid Becker (Germany/FRG) 6.40 meters (21 feet 0 inches)
5, Viorica Viscopoleanu (Romania) 6.35 meters (20 feet 10 inches)
6, Diana Yorgova (Bulgaria) 6.24 meters (20 feet 5.75 inches)
7, Hildrun Laufer (Germany/GDR) 6.24 meters (20 feet 5.75 inches)
8, Helga Hoffmann (Germany/FRG) 6.23 meters (20 feet 5.25 inches)
1968 Mexico (October 14)
World Record: 6.76 meters (22 feet 2.25 inches) Mary Rand (Great Britain) October 14, 1964
Olympic Record: 6.76 meters (22 feet 2.25 inches) Mary Rand (Great Britain) October 14, 1964
1, Viorica Viscopoleanu (Romania) 6.82 meters (22 feet 4 inches)
2, Sheila Sherwood (Great Britain) 6.68 meters (21 feet 11 inches)
3, Tatyana Talisheva (Soviet Union/Russia) 6.66 meters (21 feet 10.25 inches)
4, Burghild Wieczorek (German Democratic Republic) 6.48 meters (21 feet 3.25 inches)
5, Mioroslawa Sarna (Poland) 6.47 meters (21 feet 2.75 inches)
6, Ingrid Becker (Federal Republic of Germany) 6.43 meters (21 feet 1.25 inches)
7, Berit Berthelsen (Norway) 6.40 meters (21 feet 0 inches)
8, Heidemarie Rosendahl (Federal Republic of Germany) 6.40 meters (21 feet 0 inches)
1972 Munich (August 31)
World Record: 6.84 meters (22 feet 5.25 inches) Heidemarie Rosendahl (Federal Republic of Germany) September 3, 1970
Olympic Record: 6.82 meters (22 feet 4 inches) (A) Viorica Viscopoleanu (Romania) October 14, 1968
1, Heidemarie Rosendahl (Federal Republic of Germany) 6.78 meters (22 feet 3 inches)
2, Diana Yorgova (Bulgaria) 6.77 meters (22 feet 2.5 inches)
3, Eva Suranova (Czechoslovakia/Slovakia) 6.67 meters (21 feet 4.75 inches)
4, Marcia Garbey (Cuba) 6.52 meters (21 feet 4.75 inches)
5, Heidi Schuller (Federal Republic of Germany) 6.51 meters (21 feet 4.25 inches)
6, Meta Antenen (Switzerland) 6.49 meters (21 feet 3.25 inches)
7, Viorica Viscopoleanu (Romania) 6.48 meters (21 feet 2.25 inches)
8, Margrit Olfert (German Democratic Republic) 6.46 meters (21 feet 2.5 inches)
1976 Montreal (July 23)
World Record: 6.99 meters (22 feet 11.25 inches) Siegrun Siegl (German Democratic Republic) May 18, 1970
Olympic Record: 6.82 meters (22 feet 4 inches) (A) Viorica Viscopoleanu (Romania) October 14, 1968
1, Angela Voigt (German Democratic Republic) 6.72 meters (22 feet 0.75 inches)
2, Kathy McMillan (United States) 6.66 meters (21 feet 10.25 inches)
3, Lidiya Alfeyeva (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 6.60 meters (21 feet 8 inches)
4, Siegrun Siegl (German Democratic Republic) 6.59 meters (21 feet 7.5 inches)
5, Ildiko Szabo (Hungary) 6.59 meters (21 feet 7.5 inches)
6, Jarmila Nygrynova (Czechoslovakia) 6.54 meters (21 feet 5.5 inches)
7, Heidemarie Wycisk (German Democratic Republic) 6.39 meters (20 feet 11.75 inches)
8, Elena Vintila (Romania) 6.38 meters (20 feet 11.25 inches)
1980 Moscow (July 31)
World Record: 7.09 meters (23 feet 3.25 inches) Vilma Bardauskiene (Soviet Union) August 29, 1978
Olympic Record: 6.82 meters (22 feet 4 inches) (A) Viorica Viscopoleanu (Romania) October 14, 1968
1, Tatyana Kolpakova (Soviet Union/Kirgizstan) 7.06 meters (23 feet 2 inches)
2, Brigitte Wujak (German Democratic Republic) 7.04 meters (23 feet 1.25 inches)
3, Tetyana Skachko (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 7.01 meters (23 feet 0 inches)
4, Anna Wlodarczyk (Poland) 6.95 meters (22 feet 9.75 inches)
5, Siegrun Siegl (German Democratic Republic) 6.87 meters (22 feet 6.5 inches)
6, Jarmila Nygrynova (Czechoslovakia) 6.83 meters (22 feet 5 inches)
7, Siegrid Heimann (German Democratic Republic) 6.71 meters (22 feet 0.25 inches)
8, Lidiya Alfeyeva (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 6.71 meters (22 feet 0.25 inches)
1984 Los Angeles (August 9)
World Record: 7.43 meters (24 feet 4.5 inches) Anisoara Stanciu (Romania) June 4, 1983
Olympic Record: 7.06 meters (23 feet 2 inches) Tatyana Kolpakova (Soviet Union) July 31, 1980
1, Anisoara Stanciu (Romania) 6.96 meters (22 feet 10 inches)
2, Vali Ionescu (Romania) 6.81 meters (22 feet 4.25 inches)
3, Sue Hearnshaw (Great Britain) 6.80w meters (22 feet 3.25 inches)
4, Angela Thacker (United States) 6.78w meters (22 feet 3 inches)
5, Jackie Joyner (United States) 6.77 meters (22 feet 2.5 inches)
6, Robyn Lorraway (Australia) 6.67 meters (21 feet 10.75 inches)
7, Glynis Nunn (Australia) 6.53w meters (21 feet 5.25 inches)
8, Shonel Ferguson (Bahamas) 6.44 meters (21 feet 1.5 inches)
1988 Seoul (September 27)
World Record: 7.52 meters (24 feet 8.25 inches) Galina Chistyakova (Soviet Union) June 11, 1988
Olympic Record: 7.27 meters Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) September 24, 1988
1, Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) 7.40 meters (24 feet 3.25 inches)
2, Heike Drechsler (Daute) (German Democratic Republic) 7.22 meters (23 feet 8.25 inches)
3, Galina Chistyakova (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 7.11 meters (23 feet 4 inches)
4, Yelena Belevskaya (Soviet Union/Ukraine) 7.04 meters (23 feet 1.25 inches)
5, Nicole Boegman (Australia) 6.73 meters (22 feet 1 inch)
6, Fiona May (Great Britain) 6.62 meters (21 feet 8.75 inches)
7, Agata Karczmarek (Poland) 6.60 meters (21 feet 8 inches)
8, Sabine John (German Democratic Republic) 6.55 meters (21 feet 5.75 inches)
1992 Barcelona (August 7)
World Record: 7.52 meters (24 feet 8.25 inches) Galina Chistyakova (Soviet Union) June 11, 1988
Olympic Record: 7.40 meters (24 feet 3.25 inches) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) September 27, 1988
1, Heike Drechsler (Daute) (Germany) 7.14 meters (23 feet 5.25 inches)
2, Inessa Kravets (Commonwealth of Independent States/Ukraine) 7.12 meters (23 feet 4.25 inches)
3, Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) 7.07 meters (23 feet 2.5 inches)
4, Mirela Dulgheru (Romania) 6.71 meters (22 feet 0.25 inches)
5, Irma Mushailova (Commonwealth of Independent States/Russia) 6.68 meters (21 feet 11 inches)
6, Sharon Couch (United States) 6.66 meters (21 feet 10.25 inches)
7, Sheila Echols (United States) 6.62 meters (21 feet 8.75 inches)
8, Susen Tiedtke (Germany) 6.60 meters (21 feet 8 inches)
DQ Nijole Medvedeva (Commonwealth of Independent States/Lithuania) 6.76 meters (22 feet 2.25 inches)
1996 Atlanta (August 2)
World Record: 7.52 meters (24 feet 8.25 inches) Galina Chistyakova (Soviet Union) June 11, 1988
Olympic Record: 7.40 meters (24 feet 3.25 inches) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) September 27, 1988
1, Chioma Ajunwa (Nigeria) 7.12 meters (23 feet 4.5 inches)
2, Fiona May (Italy) 7.02 meters (23 feet 0.5 inches)
3, Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) 7.00 meters (22 feet 11.5 inches)
4, Niki Xanthou (Greece) 6.97 meters (22 feet 10.5 inches)
5, Iryna Chekhovtsova (Ukraine) 6.97 meters (22 feet 10.5 inches)
6, Agata Karczmarek (Poland) 6.90 meters (22 feet 7.75 inches)
7, Nicole Boegman (Australia) 6.73 meters (22 feet 1 inch)
8, Tunde Vaszi (Hungary) 6.60 meters (21 feet 8 inches)
DQ Iva Prandzheva (Bulgaria) 6.82 meters (22 feet 4.5 inches)
2000 Sydney (September 27)
World Record: 7.52 meters (24 feet 8.25 inches) Galina Chistyakova (Soviet Union) June 11, 1988
Olympic Record: 7.40 meters (24 feet 3.25 inches) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) September 27, 1988
1, Heike Drechsler (Daute) (Germany) 6.99 meters (22 feet 11.25 inches)
2, Fiona May (Italy) 6.92 meters (22 feet 8.5 inches)
3, Tatiana Kotova (Russia) 6.83 meters (22 feet 5 inches)
4, Olga Rubleva (Russia) 6.79 meters (22 feet 3.25 inches)
5, Susen Tiedtke (Germany) 6.74 meters (22 feet 1.25 inches)
6, Jackie Edwards (Bahamas) 6.59 meters (21 feet 7.5 inches)
7, Tunde Vaszi (Hungary) 6.59 meters (21 feet 7.5 inches)
8, Lyudmila Galkina (Russia) 6.56 meters W (21 feet 6.25 inches) W
DQ, Marion Jones (United States) 6.92 meters (22 feet 8.5 inches)
2004 Athens (August 27)
World Record: 7.52 meters (24 feet 8.25 inches) Galina Chistyakova (Soviet Union) June 11, 1988
Olympic Record: 7.40 meters (24 feet 3.25 inches) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) September 27, 1988
1, Tatyana Lebedeva (Russia) 7.07 meters (23 feet 2.5 inches)
2, Irina Simagina (Russia) 7.05 meters (23 feet 1.75 inches)
3, Tatyana Kotova (Russia) 7.05 meters (23 feet 1.75 inches)
4, Bronwyn Thompson (Australia) 6.96 meters (22 feet 10 inches)
5, Marion Jones (United States) 6.85 meters (22 feet 5.75 inches)
6, Anju Bobby George (India) 6.83 meters (22 feet 5 inches)
7, Jade Johnson (Great Britain) 6.80 meters (22 feet 3.75 inches)
8, Tunde Vaszi (Hungary) 6.73 meters (22 feet 1 inch)
2008 Beijing (August 22)
World Record: 7.52 meters (24 feet 8.25 inches) Galina Chistyakova (Soviet Union) June 11, 1988
Olympic Record: 7.40 meters (24 feet 3.25 inches) Jackie Joyner-Kersee (United States) September 27, 1988
1, Maurren Maggi (Brazil) 7.04 meters (23 feet 1.25 inches)
2, Tatyana Lebedeva (Russia) 7.03 meters (23 feet 0.25 inches)
3, Blessing Okagbare (Nigeria) 6.91 meters (22 feet 8 inches)
4, Chelsea Hammond (Jamaica) 6.79 meters (22 feet 3.5 inches)
5, Brittney Reese (United States) 6.76 meters (22 feet 2.25 inches)
6, Oksana Udmurtova (Russia) 6.70 meters (21 feet 11.75 inches)
7, Jade Johnson (Great Britain) 6.64 meters (21 feet 9.25 inches)
8, Grace Upshaw (United States) 6.58 meters (21 feet 7.25 inches)
References:
Athletics Women’s Long Jump, Sports Reference/Olympic Sports;
International Association of Athletic Federations, IAAF Statistics Handbook Daegu 2011, Part IV (IAAF Media & Public Relations Department, 2011);
International Association of Athletic Federations, IAAF Statistics Handbook, Games of the XXX Olympiad, London 2012, Part I (IAAF Media & Public Relations Department, 2012);
International Association of Athletic Federations, IAAF Statistics Handbook, Games of the XXX Olympiad, London 12012, Part II (IAAF Media & Public Relations Department, 2012);
Wallechinsky, David, and Jaime Loucky, The Complete Book of the Olympics: 2012 Edition (London: Aurum Press, 2012).
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