Jumping area and rules
The runway is at least 40 meters long. Competitors may place as many as two markers on the runway.
Jumpers take off in the “hop” phase and land on the takeoff leg. They take one step onto the other foot (step phase), then jump. Otherwise, triple jump rules are identical to those of the long jump.

Jumps are measured from the nearest impression made in the landing pit by any part of the jumper’s body.

The competition
Each nation is permitted a maximum of three competitors. Olympic competition includes a qualifying round, where all entrants who achieve a pre-set standard will advance to the final. In the 2004 Athens Games, 33 women participated in the qualification round and 15 earned spots in the final. On the men’s side, 47 jumpers attempted to qualify and 12 reached the final. Qualifying results do not carry over into the final round.
Each finalist takes three jumps, then the top eight jumpers receive three more attempts. The longest single jump during the final wins.
Back to Olympic Triple Jump main page