If only for a few minutes, much the sporting world’s attention focused on 60-odd metres of runway and sandpit inside Rio’s Olympic Stadium last August as the Olympic final of the men’s long jump commenced.
Representing Australia was two of our finest leapers in Fabrice Lapierre and Henry Frayne.
Lapierre came into Rio as the silver medallist at last year’s world championships, but was among eight or so real medal contenders lining up to jump.
Frayne entered the Olympic picture much later than his Aussie teammate, with the London 2012 finalist producing a jump of 8.16m at the Australian Athletics Championships in April to secure his ticket to Rio.
The Olympic long jump final was indeed one of the most thrilling competitions seen at the highest level for some time. What unfolded was a dramatic series of outstanding jumps, near misses and pure athletic entertainment.
Re-live the moment thanks to 7Olympics.
Hamish breaks down the Men's Long Jump #Athletics | Live on 7 & https://t.co/zZ3mztbRwM #7Olympics https://t.co/z85reBG2Hd
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 13, 2016
#AUS @FabriceLapierre leaps 7.96m with his 2nd jump. Currently in 8th position. @henryfrayne sits in 7th with 7.97m https://t.co/K88VOszX8B
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 13, 2016
#AUS long-jumpers @henryfrayne & @FabriceLapierre have both qualified for the men's LJ final. Tomorrow 9:53am AEST! https://t.co/K0XC6AAavv
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 13, 2016
#AUS @FabriceLapierre fouls with his opening jump in the men's LJ final. #Athletics live on 7 and #7Olympics app https://t.co/0dWlcVxeVP
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
#USA Jeff Henderson takes the lead with 8.20m and doesn't he know it! #Athletics on 7 and #7Olympics app https://t.co/uVkV50DSTV
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
#AUS @henryfrayne leaps 7.83m with his opening jump of the men's LJ final. #Athletics live on 7 and #7Olympics app https://t.co/g451ntfsdi
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
#AUS @FabriceLapierre leaps 7.87m with his 2nd jump in the men's LJ final. #Athletics live on 7 and #7Olympics app https://t.co/iBvmMfwvsQ
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
Great jump! #AUS @henryfrayne jumps 8.06 with his second jump and moves into 6th place! #Athletics on 7 and app https://t.co/9usOXmEFBO
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
The Olympic dream is over for #AUS @FabriceLapierre who fouls out with his 3rd attempt in the men's LJ final. https://t.co/NEYkytdi7d
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
8.22m for #GBR @GregJRutherford and he's back in the lead! #Athletics live on 7 and #7Olympics app https://t.co/jmQgMvij5s
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
#USA Jeff Henderson takes the lead with his final jump of 8.38m! Two jumpers to come. What a final! #Rio2016 https://t.co/hfdCWOTLum
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
Controversial finish to men's LJ final! #USA Henderson wins #gold, #RSA Manyonga #silver & #GBR Rutherford #bronze https://t.co/SD72cQ66IJ
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
That caps off a terrific performance from #AUS @henryfrayne in the LJ final, 7th place with a best jump of 8.06m https://t.co/nGNAjmXgN5
— 7Olympics (@7olympics) August 14, 2016
