If the Modern Athlete is Bigger, Faster, Stronger - 30 Years The Long Jump Record Still Stands

[mastermind]

Yes. Last 3 seasons best mark been around 8.60-69. Prior 3 season to that best mark was 8.50-59.

Apart from 2010 and the year Rutherford won 8.50m + has been the best standard mark.

Exactly. When we talk about the modern athlete performing better, you don't compare the people at the top. You compare the baseline.

 

[mastermind]

Ben Johnson ran 9.79 on the juice in 1988.

Even 33 years later, I am not sure many sprinters today could run 9.79 with steroids. The number of guys who could beat that number is probably less than 5.

So again, I think it is complex.

That race was an outlier for many reasons.