Long Jump
In the ancient Olympic Games, long jumping existed primarily
as part of
the pentathlon, and was seldom held as a separate event. Long
jumping is mentioned as a separate sport on a dedicatory inscription
engraved on the halter of the Eleusinian athlete
Epainetus. The contest is mentioned for the first time in
Homer's Odyssey, in the games held by the Phaeaceans in honor
of Odysseus.
It is not known whether long jumping was simple, double or triple. Nevertheless, it was considered to be particularly tough because it demanded coordination of the athlete's body and mind. This is why the athlete was occasionally accompanied by a piper whose sounds provided the rhythm and music sequence for a well-performed jump.
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