AFP | New York The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com US long jumper Bob Beamon parted with the Olympic gold medal he won at the 1968 Mexico City summer games leaping 29 feet -- the standing Olympic record -- for $441,000 yesterday. "It's time for me to pass it on," the
AFP | New York
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
US long jumper Bob Beamon parted with the Olympic gold medal he won at the 1968 Mexico City summer games leaping 29 feet -- the standing Olympic record -- for $441,000 yesterday.
"It's time for me to pass it on," the 77-year-old told AFP, ahead of the award's auction by Christie's on Thursday in New York. Beamon's historic leap -- technically at 8.9 meters, or 29 feet and 2 1/4 inches -- shattered the previous record by nearly 22 inches.
It remained a world record until the 1991 Tokyo World Championships, and still stands as the top Olympic jump. Amid a growing sports memorabilia market, the experts at Christie's had valued it between $400,000 and $600,000.
"The auction was an excellent way to showcase the medal, but also to preserve the memories of it," Beamon told AFP, adding he hoped it would go to a buyer who "understands the significance of athletic achievement."
