What is high jump?

High jump is a track and field event that tests the people’s ability to jump and clear a bar at the greatest height. The event is fascinating because it puts into perspective people’s ability to defy gravity and their own physical stature in order to propel themselves to heights beyond most people’s imaginations.

Saying that you have jumped a great height in the high jump might sound like numbers to the ordinary person. But when it is put into the perspective of clearing a door or even a basketball ring, that is when people really understand the significance of a high jumper’s performance.

If you can walk on your legs, you will have some sort of jumping ability. That vertical jumping ability is best tested in the high jump.

How does the high jump event work?

• The high jump rules set by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) permit an athlete to have three consecutive attempts at a height to clear the bar. Once an athlete has knocked the bar three times, they will exit the competition.
• An athlete may elect to pass certain heights or attempts in order to clear greater heights with their remaining attempts.
• The athlete that clears the greatest height will win the competition.
• Should there be more than one athlete that has cleared the greatest height, the ranking positions will be provided based on the minimum attempts taken to clear the previous heights.
• Should the athletes have the exact same number of attempts, then the athletes will participate in a jump-off at lower heights until only one jumper succeeds at a given height.

What are the high jump records?

These are the current world and Olympic records for the high jump.

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Featured image credit: Speed Endurance

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