Olympic champion Ralph Boston, who most notably made history in the long jump event, passed away on Sunday. He was 83.
Boston made his mark at the 1960 Rome Summer Olympic Games. At that grand event, the long jumper won the gold medal. That wasn’t all, either. Boston scored the then-Olympic record in the long jump event, setting it at a whopping 8.12 meters. The record stood for eight more years, making him one of the most iconic Olympic champions ever.
Boston was born in Laurel, Mississippi, and later attended Tennessee State. In addition to winning at the Olympics, Boston also won the NCAA long jump championship in 1960. He famously broke Jesse Owens’ world record at the Mt. SAC relays. At that event, he became the first jumper ever to exceed 27 feet in the long jump event.
The sports world mourned the loss of Ralph Boston.
One account highlighted that he was part of the famous 1968 Mexico City protests at the Olympics.
RIP to the great long jumper Ralph
Boston.
There he is in 1968 protesting on the medal stand with his shoes off. pic.twitter.com/15aSsw863W— profloumoore (@loumoore12) May 1, 2023
The New York Times published an obituary on Tuesday
Ralph Boston, the Olympic long jump champion who became the first to break the 27-foot mark, died on Sunday at his home in an Atlanta suburb. He was 83. https://t.co/KL45EdBRp4
— NYT Sports (@NYTSports) May 2, 2023
Legendary Olympian Carl Lewis offered condolences and spoke highly of the legacy he left. He considered him a “major influence” in his life and that he was a game-changer. “Know his name!!! Rest with the greats,” Lewis said.
I'm devastated about Ralph Boston's passing. As a child I idolized him and he was a major influence in my life. I'll miss his voice and support. He changed the game as an athlete, advocate and mentor. Jumpers, Know his name!!! Rest with the greats.
— Carl Lewis (@Carl_Lewis) April 30, 2023
And his alma mater, Tennessee State, also left a touching tribute for him.
It is with great sadness that TSU announces the passing of Olympic gold medalist and track and field great Ralph Boston. pic.twitter.com/XkSjrvEfPg
— Tennessee State University (@TSUedu) May 1, 2023
