Eat your heart out, Jeopardy fans, it’s a Daily Double! These two photos – similar shots, no doubt – come from different eras. Who are the athletes and what are they doing?
A pair of American long jump gold medalists take center stage for this week’s Fan Teaser: Jackie Joyner-Kersee (1988) and Bob Beamon (1968).
Both jumpers had a bit of controversy surrounding their Olympic performances.
There were lots of whispers of a performance enhancement surrounding Joyner-Kersee’s gold medal wins in the Heptathalon and Long Jump; every test came back clean.
Beamon’s jump, which bested the previous record by nearly two feet, was controversial because of the circumstances: Mexico City sits at 7,350 feet above sea level, providing for thinner air. Nonetheless, Beamon’s record stood until 1991 when Michael Powell bested it. It remains the Olympic Record, over 55 years later.
At left, it’s Jackie Joyner-Kersee leaping to a then-Olympic record of 7.40 meters during Seoul’s 1988 Games. (Photo by Sports Illustrated’s Heinz Kluetmeier). At right, it’s Bob Beamon leaping to a then-World Record distance of 8.9 meters during Mexico City’s 1968 Games. (Photo by Getty Image’s Tony Duffy)
Just to review, The Fan Teaser comes courtesy of longtime buddy, Pat Schutte. The cropped photo below and the accompanying clue give you an idea as to who or what the image is of. We invite you to use the Comment option to take a crack at solving the Teaser and, if you’re so inclined, participate in some good-spirited banter with your fellow sports fans. The Fan Teaser will appear each Friday morning with the reveal coming to you Sunday.