World Record: Bob Beamon, United States 8.90m Mexico City, Mexico 18th October 1968
Lewis, winner of the 100m gold, was required to contest two more titles two days later. Minutes after anchoring the United States to victory in their sprint relay heat, he made a delayed start to the long jump final. Hitting the board well he soaredout to 8.55m, comfortably further than the 8.29m opener of Grimes. Lewis turned to the stand and raised his arms high in salute to the crowd. After missing the second round, Lewis produced 8.42m before passing the rest of his series to concentrate on the relay final where he anchored his team to a new world record time.
Grimes, meanwhile, compiled an excellent series despite never threatening Lewis. A close battle for the bronze was won by Conley - fourth in the triple jump - in the fifth round. For the second time in Helsinki, Lewis had led a United States sweep of the medals.
There was great excitement after Lewis’s first jump when one TV commentator saw the bib number of Lewis - 892 - flash onto the screen and announced this as a new world long jump record.