Olympic long jump champion Ralph Boston has died aged 83.
The American, who broke Jesse Owens’ world record in 1960 and then improved it several times, succumbed to the effects of a stroke on Sunday. This was announced by the US Athletics Association on Monday.
Boston celebrated its greatest triumph by winning the gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome. He screwed the world record up to 8.35 m five years later.
Since 1991, the record has been 8.95 m, achieved by Boston’s compatriot Mike Powell in Tokyo.
“I am devastated by the death of Ralph Boston. I adored him as a child, he had a huge impact on my life,” wrote long jump icon Carl Lewis on Twitter: “I will miss his voice and support. As Athlete, advocate and mentor he changed the game. Jumpers, know his name! Rest in peace with the greats.”