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Team USA’s Henderson wins long jump, Jarrion Lawson 4th

Related Topics: Long jump, United States

The United States nearly took gold and silver in the men’s long jump competition. But a ruling involving the left hand of Jarrion Lawson resulted in his not getting onto the medal stand.

On Lawson’s final attempt he appeared to post a jump that would have exceeded the event bests recorded by fellow American Jeff Henderson and South Africa’s Luvo Manyonga. But when the distance of 7.78 meters flashed onto the board Lawson and much of the crowd in attendance responded in shock. The reason for the low measurement? Lawson’s left hand was the first part of his body to touch the sand pit, thus taking him out of medal contention.