Bob Beamon
An Olympic Legend

By Abby Baird, WSC Contributor

In Mexico City in 1968 Bob Beamon won the gold medal in the long jump at the Summer Olympic Games.  Beamon jumped 29 feet, 2.5 inches, a record that still stands today. The oldest record in the Olympic books to date, with each new group of young Olympians still trying to beat it.

This past month, Beamon was kind enough to hold a number of clinics as well as attending a track meet for Mayor Daley’s Summer Track Program to teach the kids there as well. 

During his clinics, Beamon stood looking at a bunch of young faces looking to him for inspiration.

Beamon grew up in the projects in NYC, but “always wanted to be somebody special,” he told the kids.   He remembered how he struggled as a child with neither parent in his life.   After living in an orphanage for a while, Beamon moved in with his grandmother, but still headed down a bad path. 

“I looked up to hustlers, gamblers, and drug dealers,” Beamon said.  “At 15 years old I couldn’t read and write.  I didn’t feel good about myself.”

What turned Beamon around was one strong role model coming into his life, a man who would later become his stepfather, and a man who began by teaching Beamon how to read and write.

“I thought if I [could] learn how to read and write maybe I can do other things,” Beamon said.  “If I [could] do this, I [could] do wondrous things in my life.  Nothing is impossible!”

Beamon was right and that same year he jumped 24 feet 1 inch at the Jr. Olympics to set a new Jr. Olympic record.  Beamon also made All-American for track and field in high school that year.

But with all his success, Beamon once again fell off the track and dropped out of high school.

“I dropped out of high school and got a job moving boxes,” Beamon said. “The boxes got heavier and heavier.  I realized it wasn’t my dream, so I left for lunch and my boss hasn’t seen me since.”

Beamon was again working hard and believed in himself all the way to the 1968 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico City. 

“When I jumped, I knew something was really incredible,” Beamon said.  “When I was up in the air it was like one hour went past, 2 hours went past.  It was my day!”

Beamon finished his speech on a positive note, not only reinforcing his previous message that anyone can succeed who wants too, but also talking about the unparallel greatness of the Olympic Games.

“The whole world will watch you,” Beamon said.  “The entire world will surround you.  You have to find some way to put yourself in this incredible, wonderful experience.”