USA's Bob Beamon breaks the world record in the long jump by nearly two feet during the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games

Bob Beamon (United States) made headlines with what Sports Illustrated magazine claims as one of the five greatest sports moments of the 20th century. Known as an erratic jumper, Beamon tore down the runway, and jumped 29 ft. 2-1/2 in. shattering the existing record by 21-3/4 in. and became the first person to reach both 28 and 29 feet.