It’s Christmas Jumper Day! The day of the year where, in case you weren’t already, you’re encouraged to get into the festive spirit and wear your finest Christmas Jumpers.
This year though, we’re doing it a bit differently, because instead of showing off our best festive sweats – they’re great by the way – we’re showing off a different kind of jumper, you see where this is going?
Over the years, London has produced some magnificent track athletes; Mo Farah, Perri Shakes-Drayton and Dina Asher-Smith are just a few in recent years. But London has also been a place where some incredible long, triple and high jumpers have called home and so, what better way is there to celebrate Christmas ‘Jumper’ Day, than looking back at some of our legends?
Robbie Grabarz – Newham & Essex Beagles
Equal British Record Holder and Olympic Silver Medallist – PB 2:37m (2012)
(📸www.thepowerof10.info)
Morgan Lake – Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow/Slough
3rd in UK all time rankings and still only in the U23 age category – PB 1.96m (2017)
(📸www.thepowerof10.info)
Beverly Kinch – Borough of Hounslow Athletics Club
Bev came third at the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Birsbane Australia – she held the British Record for the Long Jump for 29 years! – PB 6.90m (1983)
(📸www.diomedia.com)
Chris Tomlinson – Newham & Essex Beagles
Despite being from Middlesborough, Chris competed for East London’s Newham & Essex Beagles and is also a former British Record Holder with a PB of 8:35m (2011)
(📸www.thepowerof10.info)
Yamilé Aldama – Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers
Yamilé moved to London in 2001 and with a PB jump of 14.82m in 2012, she took the World Indoor Gold in Istanbul, Turkey.
(📸www.TeamGB.com)
Phillips Idowu – Belgrave Harriers
Phillips grew up in Hackney and is a member of Belgrave Harriers Athletics club, he had a very successful career with Olympic and Commonwealth silvers and a Diamond League Gold among his medal collection. PB 17.81m (2010)
(📸www.all.athletics.com)
For opportunities to get involved in track and field in London, click on the links to the clubs above. To find more opportunities in the capital, click here.
