Equipment and jumping rules
The sole of a long jumper’s shoe can have a maximum thickness of 13 millimeters.
The runway is at least 40 meters long. Competitors may place as many as two markers on the runway. The jumper must take off in front of the far edge of the takeoff board, which is 20 centimeters wide and level with the ground. Somersaults are not permitted. Jumpers must land in the sand pit. Jumps are measured from the nearest impression made in the pit by any part of the jumper’s body.

The competition
Twelve competitors qualify for the Olympic long jump final. In the 2004 Games, 40 men and 39 women participated in a qualifying round to earn a spot in the final. Results from the qualification rounds do not carry over into the final.
Each finalist takes three jumps, then the top eight jumpers receive three more attempts. The longest single jump during the final wins.?
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