Long Jump

The long jump was one of the events of the pentathlon of the original Olympics in Ancient Greece. The long jump was the only known jumping event in these Ancient Olympic Games. All events that occurred at the Olympic Games were initially supposed to act as a form of training for warfare. The long jump emerged probably because it mirrored the crossing of obstacles such as streams and ravines. After investigating the surviving depictions of the ancient event it is believed that unlike the modern day event, athletes were only allowed a short running start.
                                                     These weights were swung forward as the athlete jumped in order to increase momentum. It is commonly believed that the jumper would throw the weights behind him in mid-air to increase his forward momentum; however, halters were held throughout the duration of the jump.