Triple Jump, Men

Viktor Saneyev was trying to match Al Oerter’s feat of winning four consecutive gold medals in the same individual event. But the favorite in 1980 was Brazil’s João Carlos de Oliveira, world record holder and twice Pan American champion. Two other contenders were Keith Connor (GBR) and Ian Campbell (AUS) – who had been 1-2 at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. The 1980 Olympics were held in Moskva, and unfortunately, the officiating was not what it should have been. Round three produced much of the drama. Jaak Uudmäe (URS/EST) jumped 17.35 (56-11¼), with de Oliveira getting 17.22 (56-6) and Saneyev at 17.04 (55-11) – all three producing their leading marks to that point. But just before Uudmäe’s jump, Campbell had landed in the sand beyong the Olympic record marker (17.39 (57-0¾)), but the jump was ruled a foul that had not broken the plasticine. Pleading his case, the official told him he had dragged his foot on the step phase, which is almost impossible at that speed, and which nobody had seen. The sand was raked and the mark did not count, though observers thought it was around 17.50 (57-7). In fact, all of Campbell’s remaining marks were ruled fouls.

João de Oliveira also would not produce another fair jump, though observers also could not see anything wrong with his efforts, and two of his “fouls” were on very long jumps. Both times he walked away from the board, after examining it, shaking his head in frustration. The spurious officiating brought Saneyev a chance in the last round to win his fourth gold medal. He improved to 17.24 (56-6¾) to surpass de Oliveira but had to settle for silver. It was difficult for de Oliveira. But in December 1991 he was struck head-on by a drunken driver and after a nine-month battle, would lose his right leg, having it amputated below the knee. He died quite early from liver and lung disease, complications of the alcoholism which had consumed him.