Births on April 18

Ian Campbell, Australian jumper

Ian Bernard Campbell, born on 18 April 1957 in Victoria, Australia, is a name synonymous with Australian track and field, particularly in the demanding disciplines of long and triple jump. An athlete of remarkable talent and dedication, Campbell's career reached its zenith on the global stage, most notably at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Soviet Union, an event that would forever be etched in his, and indeed Australian, sporting history.

An Australian Track and Field Legend

Campbell's journey as an athlete saw him consistently perform at an elite level, showcasing the explosive power and technical precision required for the triple jump. This event, which combines a 'hop', a 'step', and a 'jump' into one continuous movement, demands immense coordination and strength. He proudly represented his native country, Australia, bringing a competitive spirit to every international meet.

Early Career Successes

Prior to his Olympic appearance, Campbell had already demonstrated his prowess on the international circuit. In 1978, he secured a commendable silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, achieving a significant leap of 16.93 metres. This achievement underscored his potential and positioned him as a formidable competitor. The following year, in 1979, he continued his strong form by claiming third place at the prestigious IAAF World Cup with a jump of 16.76 metres. His personal best performance in the triple jump stood at an impressive 17.09 metres, a testament to his consistent high-level output.

The Moscow Olympics Controversy of 1980

The 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow represented the pinnacle of Campbell's athletic career. Competing against the world's best, he delivered a compelling performance in the men's triple jump event. Ultimately, he finished in fifth place with a recorded distance of 16.72 metres (54 ft 10 in), a result that, while respectable, belied a far more dramatic and contentious story from the competition.

The Disputed Fourth Jump

During the final of the triple jump, Ian Campbell executed a fourth jump that, by all accounts and subsequent analysis, appeared to be a gold medal-winning effort. However, this monumental jump was controversially ruled a foul by the judges. The specific accusation leveled against Campbell was that he had dragged his trail leg during the second, or "step," portion of the event. This "trail leg drag" rule dictates that the athlete's trail leg must not touch the ground before the foot of the lead leg lands during the step phase, a technicality that can be notoriously difficult to judge in real-time.

The impact of this decision was immense. Multiple sources and eyewitnesses indicated that Campbell had several jumps well over 17.37 metres during the competition, with at least one estimated to be just under 17.60 metres. To put this in perspective, the Olympic record at the time was 17.39 metres. Each of these extraordinary efforts, after a noticeable delay of several seconds in some instances, was met with a judge's red flag, signaling a foul. The decision to disallow what many believed was a certain gold medal has been a point of contention and dispute ever since, leaving a lingering question mark over the true outcome of the event.

Life Beyond the Track

Following his distinguished athletic career, Ian Campbell transitioned into sports administration, demonstrating his leadership skills in a different arena. In 2003, he was appointed as the CEO of the Richmond Football Club, a prominent Australian Rules Football team. This role allowed him to continue contributing to the sporting landscape of Australia, albeit off the track and field.

A Renewed Push for Justice: The 2015 Request

The controversy surrounding Ian Campbell's fouled jump at the 1980 Moscow Olympics did not fade with time. More than three decades later, on 25 July 2015, Athletics Australia officially submitted a formal request to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now World Athletics. This compelling request sought to posthumously award Campbell the Gold medal for his disputed fourth jump from the 1980 Games. The core of their argument rested on compelling video recordings of the jump, which, according to Athletics Australia, unequivocally demonstrated that the original decision to call it a foul was erroneous and unjust. This significant appeal highlighted the long-standing belief within the Australian athletics community that Campbell was unfairly denied his rightful Olympic gold.

Interestingly, this request was not an isolated incident. A similar submission was made concurrently for the women's 200 metres sprint at the 1948 London Olympics, advocating for an Australian female athlete to be posthumously awarded the bronze medal, underscoring a broader effort to correct historical injustices in athletic record-keeping.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is Ian Campbell?

Ian Bernard Campbell is a retired Australian long and triple jumper, born in Victoria in 1957. He represented Australia at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

What happened at the 1980 Moscow Olympics triple jump event?

At the 1980 Olympics, Ian Campbell finished fifth. However, his fourth jump, which many believed was a gold medal-winning distance (potentially over 17.39m, the Olympic record), was controversially ruled a foul due to an alleged "trail leg drag" during the "step" portion of the jump. This decision has been widely disputed.

What is the "trail leg drag" rule in triple jump?

The "trail leg drag" rule in the triple jump stipulates that during the second phase (the "step"), the athlete's trailing leg must not touch the ground before the foot of the lead leg lands. If it does, the jump is ruled a foul.

Was the foul decision for Ian Campbell's jump ever overturned?

As of the information provided, the original foul decision from 1980 has not been officially overturned. However, Athletics Australia submitted a formal request to the IAAF in 2015, citing video evidence, to award him the gold medal.

What were some of Ian Campbell's other significant athletic achievements?

Beyond the Olympics, Ian Campbell won a silver medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games with a jump of 16.93 metres and secured third place at the 1979 IAAF World Cup with 16.76 metres. His personal best in the triple jump was 17.09 metres.

What did Ian Campbell do after his athletics career?

After retiring from athletics, Ian Campbell moved into sports administration. In 2003, he was appointed as the CEO of the Richmond Football Club, an Australian Rules Football team.

What was the outcome of Athletics Australia's 2015 request regarding the 1980 Olympic jump?

The provided text indicates that Athletics Australia submitted a request to the IAAF in 2015 to award Ian Campbell the gold medal for his disputed jump, based on video evidence. The text does not, however, specify the outcome or resolution of this particular request.