Lynn ‘the leap’ Davies recalls Olympic gold 60 years on

As he stood preparing for his now legendary fifth round jump at the 1964 Olympic Games, Lynn Davies recalled some wise words from his coach Ron Pickering.

“When you’re on the runway, watch the flag at the top of the stadium because that’s a good indication of the wind,” he said.

Conditions for the long jump final at the Tokyo Games had been the worst possible, with strong headwinds, torrential rain and puddles on the cinder track.

Davies had overheard the world record holder Ralph Boston tell a team mate he did not think anyone capable of jumping eight metres that day.

But as he watched that faithful flag drop, the Welshman knew his window of opportunity had opened.

He tore down the runway, hit the board and launched himself into the sodden sand.

The scoreboard turned around and it showed 8.06m.

That distance not only earned Davies the Olympic title, but the lifelong nickname of Lynn ‘the leap’.