Historical High Jumpers.

Evening Star, Issue 7247, 25 June 1887, Page 1 (Supplement)

Historical High Jumpers.

The article in the ‘ Nineteenth Century ’ upon the subject of the athletes of the past has called Sir Francis Doyle into the field. He states in a letter to the 1 Standard ’ that “ the best historical high jump ” is 6ft 6in, and “ the best historical long-jumper” was Professor Wilson, who could clear 23ft backwards and forwards. To whom he attributes the historical high jump is doubtful, as modern athletes never heard even the tradition of a jump of 6ft until Mr M. Y. Brooks, of Oxford University, appeared upon the scene. Two jumpers of this generation, Mr Brooks and Mr Dain, the Irishman, have jumped over 6ft 2in ; and this, perhaps, is what Sir Francis Doyle is thinking of. As regards long-jumping, there is an authentic account of “Christopher North ” jumping 21ft in a match with a private in a militia regiment; but there is nothing, we believe, except the Professor’s own conversation to prove the 23ft record, or his match with the “ flying bailer of Yarrow.” Three or four jumpers of this age have cleared over 23ft before competent judges, the measurement being taken to the heel of the hindmost foot. It is almost a truism now that modern athletes are better than their predecessors.