Bob Thomas's record for long jump still stands.
Bob Thomas' long jump record is the longest surviving athletics field event record in the country.
What's even more impressive about it, is that in 47 years, training methods and technology have improved. But still, no New Zealander has jumped further. On January 20, 1968, Bob jumped 8.05m at a
twilight athletics meeting at Whangarei's Okara Park.
Read more here: Thomas' record still standing
He beat the existing record by more than 33cm. Surprisingly, it wasn't enough to secure a spot in the 1968 Olympics team.
At 29, Bob may have been considered too old for Mexico. Nowadays, it's widely recognised that sprint athletes peak in their late 20s and even early 30s. Given the explosive sprint factor that long jump demands, Bob was a long way from being over the athletic hill. He deserved to go to Mexico.
