Athletics Australia – News – A statement from Athletics Australia President, David Grace QC

Athletics Australia to call for investigation into 1980 Olympic Games men’s triple jump final & 1948 Olympics Games women’s 200m final

Today marks the 35th anniversary of the final of the men’s triple jump competition at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. 

The Australian triple jump record holder at that time, Ian Campbell, was in outstanding form and was the leading qualifier for the twelve-man final with a jump of 17.02m. He was therefore one of the favourites together with the defending champion and three-time Olympic gold medallist Viktor Saneyev (USSR) and the then world record holder, the great Joao Carlos de Oliveira (BRA).  

In the final, Campbell’s first attempt was adjudged to be a foul for overstepping the take-off line. His second attempt, taking off from well behind the take-off line for safety, was measured at 16.72m. On his third attempt, Campbell landed in the pit at a point between the marker designating the Olympic record of 17.39m and that designating the world record of 17.89m. He bounded from the pit excited with his performance only to see that excitement turn to dismay when the chief judge raised a red flag, indicating a foul jump.  Thinking that he had again overstepped the take-off line, he enquired of the official as to how far over he had fouled. He was then told that it was not a foul jump for overstepping the take-off line but was classed as a foul because of an apparent scraping by the foot of his trail leg as he entered the jump phase of his attempt. Campbell knew he had not scraped, and made an immediate protest. He requested that an international referee, fluent in English, be called to arbitrate. His request was denied and his protest dismissed. Further protests, after the event, by the Australian athletics section manager, Ray Durie, were also dismissed.  

Campbell’s last three jumps were also adjudged to be fouls and at the conclusion of the competition he was placed fifth, with his second jump of 16.72m being recorded as his only valid attempt. The surprise winner from the USSR, Jaak Uudmae, won the event with a distance of 17.35m, the silver going to Saneyev (who now lives in Sydney) with 17.24m and the bronze to De Oliveira with 17.22m.  Campbell’s third attempt was clearly in excess of Uudmae’s gold medal winning jump.

For many years Campbell, his coach John Boas and a number of independent observers have claimed that the officiating at the event resulted in a great injustice to Campbell.  Over the years there have been allegations that the event was not conducted with the appropriate level of integrity, both on and off the field.