Word: gourdine
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Dates: during 1970-1979
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...greatest fame came from his athletic accomplishments. Besides starring in the broad jump, Gourdin was the national champion in the 100-yard dash in 1920, and during the next two years was national pentathlon champion...
Even though Gourdin lost the Olympic title in the broad jump to Michigan's DeHart Hubbard, Gourdin leaped to an incredible 25' 8" the next day in a noncompetitive demonstration, topping Hubbard's Olympic jump...
...York Times showed most of its interest in Gourdin the day he set the record, running a big, colorful story on the event. Excerpts are printed below...
Though the meet outcome had already been decided, "interest was still at fever heat. There seemed to be a tenseness in the hot atmosphere that forecast an impending performance of great moment." The 1000 spectators "seemed to sense that Gourdin was about to make history-that he was about to hurl his body to a record...
...Then as a great, oppressive silence fell over the spectators, Gourdin started, his spikes swishing through the air. They flashed in the sunlight and his powerful strides had carried him to the edge of the jumping pit. He had measured his stride perfectly, and he did not have to falter or shorten or lengthen it. Then he bunched his strong body together, and, as he leaped high and far, it looked as if he were a human projectile fired from some unseen and unheard...