by Larry Eder
Ivan Pedroso, Cuba, Athens 2004, photo by PhotoRun.net.
1995 was the first time I went to a World Championship-Gothenburg, Sweden! It was a magical event. I witnessed Jonathan Edward’s triple jump world records, and, for the first time, watched with fascination, international sport press conferences.
Two interviews come to mind. The first was Venuste Niyongabo’s text book French, as he described leaving Burundi, then in civil war, trying to get to Sweden, and nearly loosing his life. Niyongabo was rewarded with the bronze at the 1,500 meters for his efforts in Gothenburg. (In 1996, he would move up to the 5,000 meters and take the gold in Atlanta).
The second was Ivan Pedroso, of Cuba, who thanked Fidel Castro for his support and gave all praise to his country’s leader, after winning his medal (Pedroso would win the Olympic Gold in 2000, with a jump of 8.55m. He was the first Olympic gold medalist in the long jump since 1980 not to have the name, Carl Lewis). In his storied career, Ivan Pedroso would win four Outdoor World Champs, and five Indoor World Champs, plus the Olympic gold in 2000!
The picture above shows Pedroso in 2004, in Athens, where Dwight Phillips took the Olympic mantle.
This Day in Track & Field
July 29
1995––Cuba’s
Ivan Pedroso apparently broke Mike Powell’s World Record in the long
jump(29-4 1/2 [8.95m]) when he reached out to 29-4 3/4(8.96m) in the
jumper-friendly altitude (6,726′) of Sestriere, Italy, but Italian
officials never submitted the mark to the IAAF for official
ratification. The wind-reading for Pedroso’s big jump was a legal
1.2mps, but, after looking at videotapes taken during the competition,
they determined that an Italian coach, Luciano Gemello, stood in front
of the wind gauge during every one of the Cuban’s six jumps.
“Each time Pedroso got up to jump, the man would go and stand up
right in front of the anonometer,” theItalian federation’s spokesman,
Enrico Jacomini, said at the time. “He stood half a foot in front of
the anonometer. He stood there for all six of Pedroso’s jumps and for
no one else’s. We spoke to the man. He said he was very fond of the
long jump, and because Pedroso was the best long-jumper in the field,
he was interested only in Pedroso. “We have a feeling he interfered
with the wind,” Jacomini said.
It was reported that Pedroso was allowed to keep the $130,000
Ferrari that was traditionally given as a bonus to anyone breaking a
World Record at the meet!
Powell had jumped 29-6(8.99m) here in 1992, but his mark was aided
by a strong tailwind(4.4mps). When told that Pedroso’s mark wouldn’t be
submitted, Powell said, “It feels good to say I’m still the world record holder. I didn’t realize how much it meant to me”.
Pedroso went on to become one of the greatest long-jumpers in
history, winning a total of nine World Championship titles (four
outdoor, five indoor). He also won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics
in Sydney.
NY Times Stories:
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/
http://www.nytimes.com/1995/
Pedroso Retires(2007): http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=
1928–John
Kuck won the gold medal in the shot put at the Amsterdam Olympics with
a World Record toss of 52-3/4(15.87m). Finishing 2nd(51-8/15.87m) was
Herman Brix, who later became better known as actor Bruce
Bennett(Tarzan).
Brix Obituary: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/
1976–Winner
of the 800 4 days earlier, Alberto Juantorena completed his Olympic
double in Montreal by winning the 400-meters in 44.26.
1982–Finland
is well-known for its love of the javelin, so the fans in attendance in
Helsinki were thrilled when homegrown hero Tiina Lillak threw
237-6(72.40m).to become its first female World Record holder in the
event.
1987–East
Germany’s Petra Felke threw 258-10(78.90m) to regain the World Record
in the javelin from England’s Fatima Whitbread, who threw 254-1(77.44m)
the previous year. Felke improved the record to 262-5(80.00m) the
following year and that would stand until a new implement was
introduced in 1999.
1989–33
years after Charlie Dumas became history’s first 7-footer in 1956,
Cuba’s Javier Sotamayor became the first man ito clear 8-feet in the
high jump, getting over that exact height(2.44m) in San Juan, Puerto
Rico.
Other events in history(http://www.historyorb.
1928 – Walt Disney’s “Steamboat Willie” is released (Mickey Mouse)
http://www.disneyshorts.org/
1936 – RCA shows 1st real TV program (dancing, film on locomotives, Bonwit Teller fashion
show & monologue from Tobacco Road & comedy)
1957 – Jack Paar’s Tonight show premieres
http://www.museum.tv/
More at: http://www.history.com/this-
The #1 song on this day in history–1890s to present:
http://www.joshhosler.biz/
