The IAAF considers marks set at high altitude as acceptable for record consideration. However, high altitude can significantly assist long jump performances. At the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, Bob Beamon broke the existing record by a margin of 55 cm (21+1⁄2 in), and his world record of 8.90 m (29 ft 2+1⁄4 in) stood until Mike Powell jumped 8.95 m (29 ft 4+1⁄4 in) in 1991. However, Beamon's jump was set at an altitude of 2,292 m (7,520 ft), with a maximum allowable wind, factors which assisted his performance.[7]
This list contains the progression of long jump marks set at low altitude starting with the mark that stood at Beamon's record in 1968 to Powell's 1991 world record.
^Phil Shinnick's 8.33 metre jump from 1963 was recognized as a World Record in 2021 and added to the progression list, "with no deletion of later marks." Hence, Ralph Boston's 8.31 metre jump from 1964 remains on the list.
^Ward-Smith, A. J. (1986). "Altitude and wind effects on long jump performance with particular reference to the world record established by Bob Beamon". Journal of Sports Sciences. 4 (2): 89–99. doi:10.1080/02640418608732104. PMID3586109.