Triple Jump, Men

This event was another interesting match-up, which paired Meyer Prinstein, Peter O’Connor, and the high jump champion Con Leahy. Leahy had trouble with his steps, but still led throughout until O’Connor bested him in the last round. Prinstein was not a factor, as he had injured his ankle in the long jump.

At the end of an interview, O’Connor described what he considered to be the final comeuppance, “The limit, however, was reached when the officials hoisted on the Olympic masts the three flags indicating the nationality of the first, second, and third winners of the long jump - the British Union Jack being flown for my being second. I was an accomplished gymnast in my youth and my active climbing of the post excited the spectators. At a height of about 20 feet, I unfurled my big green flag [of Ireland] and remained aloft for some considerable time waving it vigorously. Con Leahy assisted in the demonstration by keeping fighting guard at the foot of the pole, meantime waving his green flag and defying every effort of the officials to prevent the demonstration which caused a great sensation.” Though O’Connor described this (in 1956) as having occurred after the long jump, which he won, American newspapers mentioned this occurrence (specifically The Chicago Tribune), and noted that it happened after the triple jump, not the long jump.