Overcoming Obstacles An Interview with Bob Beamon, Chief Executive Officer, Beamon Communications Inc. EDITORS’ NOTE Bob Beamon is an that records don’t last long, why It keeps me excited that I’ve been able to American track and field athlete, best have yours been so hard to break? go through the years and people still remember known for his world record in the long I jumped that distance and coming that jump. We’ve had so many great jumpers jump at the Mexico Olympics in 1968. out of my daze from it, I realized that I since then too. He broke the existing record by a mar- had two more jumps and other people I’ve always been interested in working with gin of 55 cm (21¾ in.) and his world had three more jumps, so I wasn’t feel- children in disadvantaged situations. They are record stood for almost 23 years until ing I would walk away with the win often the kids that people say aren’t going to make it was broken in 1991. Beamon began with such a large margin between the it. I look at them as being underdogs. They are, in his college career at North Carolina second and third place finishers. I felt many cases, the kids who are written off and don’t Agricultural and Technical State I needed to be on my toes until the even anticipate growing up and becoming adults University before transferring to the competition ended. in some instances. Some of them just want to make it University of Texas at El Paso. In 1965, I didn’t believe the records would to the next day. Kids in certain areas are losing their he set a national high school triple Bob Beamon last this long because I felt they might lives because of things like gang violence. jump record and was second in the be broken in a matter of minutes at the I try to mix my own experience in overcom- nation in the long jump. In 1967, he won the AAU time. I did get the feeling that the Olympics is ing obstacles with some of the things I’ve come indoor title and earned a silver medal at the Pan really not a place to try to break a world record, across in my later years that relate to making American Games, both in the long jump. Shortly but if it comes, it comes. myself a better person. I incorporate those ideas after the Mexico City Olympics, Beamon was drafted into my presentations to youth. by the Phoenix Suns in the 15th round of the 1969 I also look for other opportunities to work NBA draft. In 1972, he graduated from Adelphi with people. For instance, I’m a goodwill ambas- University with a degree in sociology. Beamon has sador for the Special Olympics. They will cel- worked in various roles to promote youth athleti- ebrate their 50th year in 2018. My older brother cism, including collaborations with former was in the Special Olympics so I have a con- California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. He nection there. I’m thrilled to be a part of that is a graphic artist with work exhibited by the organization. Art of the Olympians and is the former chief What is the secret to your sustained suc- executive of the Art of the Olympians Museum. cess and enthusiasm for life? Beamon is CEO of Beamon Communications Inc. The difference between the Olympics then (beamoncommunications.com). Bob Beamon at the Special Olympics Cayman Islands Track & and now is that technology has taken over. Field Clinic in January 2017 During my time, the only media exposure was In 2018, you will be celebrating the 50th ABC Sports, and they just happened to catch my anniversary of your Olympic gold medal One needs to go in with the idea that those jump. with the longest standing record in Olympic who make it to the Olympics are great athletes, When we deal with the Olympics today, we history. What does that means to you? so one has to be greater. I had to be ready to deal with technology. We even have athletes that Once I had set my sights on Olympic com- outjump the next person who would jump more go through psychological counseling to ensure petition and had made the team, my thought was than 29 feet. I was capable of going 30 feet on they stay focused. that I had some very strong competition. If I that day. We were discussing the reason my record could come home with a gold and beat not just I was so excited, and yet the distance had still stands, particularly given all of these things the top guys but also the other 10 or 15 guys gotten to me. I couldn’t think or even jump. I was athletes have available today. Every now and in the finals, I would feel very proud of that so emotional that I forgot that I needed to jump then, there may be a situation that creates an accomplishment. twice more. Every so often, I’d pinch myself and incredible athlete – Usain Bolt is at the head of It turned out that I broke the Olympic remind myself that I was in the lead. the class right now, as are people like Michael record by three feet and then broke the world I really appreciate my record more now than Phelps. The technology has something to do record by two feet. That was an incredible feel- I did in 1968. I feel so blessed. We had the great- with it, but it’s also how we train and how we ing because I didn’t go in looking to break any est Olympic team ever assembled. Records were look at life in general. records – I wanted to win a gold medal. broken in just about every event that Americans It’s about staying healthy. When I was I thought I would wake up to find it was participated in. They had some incredible times involved in the sport, I gave up a lot, but I also a dream, but standing on the podium as the and, as of today, many of those times and dis- saw too many of my colleagues fall by the way- recipient of the gold medal in the 1968 Olympic tances are still very competitive. side. Ninety percent of the people I associated Games was a blessing. With that type of record, it would seem with in high school are all deceased and they One wouldn’t think that some 50 years to bring you a voice to talk about issues and didn’t necessarily pass in a good way. later that record would still stand. Is there a to support causes important to you. What Focus and commitment have to remain time when you thought that might be pos- direction has your post-Olympics path taken, strong in order for someone to maintain sible, and when advances in training mean and what are the areas you’re focused on? themselves.• VOLUME 40, NUMBER 2 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. 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