Larry Myricks
Encyclopedia
Larry Myricks was an American
athlete, who mainly competed in the men's long jump
event.
A durable jumper, Myricks first broke onto the track scene in 1976. While competing for Mississippi College
he was the NCAA Champion, in the long jump. He followed that up with a second place at U. S. Olympic Trials
, beating defending Olympic champion Randy Williams
in the process. At the 1976 Olympics
, he broke his foot while warming up for the final and was unable to compete. His teammates Arnie Robinson
and Williams finished 1,2. The three American jumpers had been easily the top three jumpers in qualifying.
In 1979 he won the again the NCAA Championship, this time both indoors and outdoors, He was also the US National Champion
(27-2), and World Cup Champion
(8.52m). He repeated as U.S. national champion in 1980 and in 1989.
He competed for the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics
held in Seoul
, South Korea
, where he won the bronze medal
in the men's long jump competition. In addition to the 1976 Olympics, Myricks won the 1980 Olympic Trials (over a young Carl Lewis
), the team that did not go to the Olympics due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott. He finished second to Lewis in the 1984 Olympic Trials. He finished fourth in the Olympics that year.
He set his personal best of 8.74 m (28' 8") in the long jump at the 1988 Olympic Trials. That jump still ranks Myricks as the number 5 long jumper ever. It was the trials record, for a few minutes until surpassed by Carl Lewis. After qualifying for four straight Olympic teams, Myricks returned in 1992 as a 36 year old to a fifth Olympic Trials, finishing in seventh place.
Myricks was the third place jumper at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics - Men's Long Jump
when Lewis and Mike Powell
were fighting over the world record, what many consider the greatest long jump competition ever.
Based on a statistical comparison of 8.16m, Myricks had more competitions (170) over that mark than any other competitor. Moving that comparison to 8.50m, he ranks second (17) to Carl Lewis (39) (as of 1996; since 1996, only 9 jumpers have even jumped 8.50). Myricks' last 8.50 in 1991 at the age of 35, is tied with Lewis' mark from the 1996 Olympics as the M35 Masters World Record.
He was also a useful 200 m
sprinter
, with a best of 20.03 s at the US National Championships in 1983 behind his nemesis Carl Lewis, who along with Mike Powell
overshadowed him for most of his career. He ran the 200 at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics. Myricks won the U.S. nationals in the 200 meters in 1988.
Myricks is also a graduate of Mississippi College
. He was coached there by Joe Walker (now at Ole Miss). Larry Myricks was suspended (May 1990) by the TAC after a positive test for a banned stimulant before the 1990 U.S. Championships. This suspension was extended to a Life Time ban for two, subsequent positive tests. He was later reinstated after having served only one year.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete, who mainly competed in the men's long jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
event.
A durable jumper, Myricks first broke onto the track scene in 1976. While competing for Mississippi College
Mississippi College
Mississippi College, also known as MC, is a private, Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon and Madison, Mississippi, and the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson...
he was the NCAA Champion, in the long jump. He followed that up with a second place at U. S. Olympic Trials
United States Olympic Trials (track and field)
The United States Olympic Trials for the sport of Track and Field is the quadrennial meet to select the United States representatives at the Olympic Games. Since 1992, the meet has also served as the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Because of the depth of competition in some events,...
, beating defending Olympic champion Randy Williams
Randy Williams
Randel Luvelle Williams was an American athlete who mainly competed in the men's long jump event....
in the process. At the 1976 Olympics
Athletics at the 1976 Summer Olympics – Men's long jump
The Men's Long Jump event at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canda, had an entrylist of 33 competitors, with two qualifying groups before the final took place on Thursday July 29, 1976. The top twelve and ties, and all those reaching 7.80 metres advanced to the final...
, he broke his foot while warming up for the final and was unable to compete. His teammates Arnie Robinson
Arnie Robinson
Clarence Earl "Arnie" Robinson, Jr. won the gold medal for the men's long jump in the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal. That was an improvement on the bronze medal he won at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.-Career:Robinson stayed in the San Diego area throughout his career, first at...
and Williams finished 1,2. The three American jumpers had been easily the top three jumpers in qualifying.
In 1979 he won the again the NCAA Championship, this time both indoors and outdoors, He was also the US National Champion
USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
The USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships is an annual track and field competition organized by USA Track & Field, which serves as the American national championships for the sport...
(27-2), and World Cup Champion
1979 IAAF World Cup
The 2nd IAAF World Cup in Athletics was an international track and field sporting event sponsored by the International Association of Athletics Federations, held on August 24–26, 1979, at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada.-Men:|width="50"| ...
(8.52m). He repeated as U.S. national champion in 1980 and in 1989.
He competed for the United States at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Athletics at the 1988 Summer Olympics
At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul a total number of 42 events in athletics were contested: 24 by men and 18 by women. There were a total number of 1617 participating athletes from 149 countries.-Men's events:...
held in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, where he won the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
in the men's long jump competition. In addition to the 1976 Olympics, Myricks won the 1980 Olympic Trials (over a young Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis
Frederick Carlton "Carl" Lewis is an American former track and field athlete, who won 10 Olympic medals including 9 gold, and 10 World Championships medals, of which 8 were gold. His career spanned from 1979 when he first achieved a world ranking to 1996 when he last won an Olympic title and...
), the team that did not go to the Olympics due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott. He finished second to Lewis in the 1984 Olympic Trials. He finished fourth in the Olympics that year.
He set his personal best of 8.74 m (28' 8") in the long jump at the 1988 Olympic Trials. That jump still ranks Myricks as the number 5 long jumper ever. It was the trials record, for a few minutes until surpassed by Carl Lewis. After qualifying for four straight Olympic teams, Myricks returned in 1992 as a 36 year old to a fifth Olympic Trials, finishing in seventh place.
Myricks was the third place jumper at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics - Men's Long Jump
1991 World Championships in Athletics - Men's Long Jump
These are the official results of the Men's Long Jump event at the 1991 IAAF World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. There were a total number of 43 participating athletes, with two qualifying groups and the final held on Friday August 30, 1991.-Medalists:...
when Lewis and Mike Powell
Mike Powell (athlete)
Michael Anthony Powell born is a former American track and field athlete, and the holder of the long jump world record.Mike Powell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
were fighting over the world record, what many consider the greatest long jump competition ever.
Based on a statistical comparison of 8.16m, Myricks had more competitions (170) over that mark than any other competitor. Moving that comparison to 8.50m, he ranks second (17) to Carl Lewis (39) (as of 1996; since 1996, only 9 jumpers have even jumped 8.50). Myricks' last 8.50 in 1991 at the age of 35, is tied with Lewis' mark from the 1996 Olympics as the M35 Masters World Record.
He was also a useful 200 m
200 metres
A 200 metres race is a sprint running event. On an outdoor 400 m track, the race begins on the curve and ends on the home straight, so a combination of techniques are needed to successfully run the race. A slightly shorter race, called the stadion and run on a straight track, was the first...
sprinter
Sprint (race)
Sprints are short running events in athletics and track and field. Races over short distances are among the oldest running competitions. The first 13 editions of the Ancient Olympic Games featured only one event—the stadion race, which was a race from one end of the stadium to the other...
, with a best of 20.03 s at the US National Championships in 1983 behind his nemesis Carl Lewis, who along with Mike Powell
Mike Powell (athlete)
Michael Anthony Powell born is a former American track and field athlete, and the holder of the long jump world record.Mike Powell was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
overshadowed him for most of his career. He ran the 200 at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics. Myricks won the U.S. nationals in the 200 meters in 1988.
Myricks is also a graduate of Mississippi College
Mississippi College
Mississippi College, also known as MC, is a private, Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon and Madison, Mississippi, and the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson...
. He was coached there by Joe Walker (now at Ole Miss). Larry Myricks was suspended (May 1990) by the TAC after a positive test for a banned stimulant before the 1990 U.S. Championships. This suspension was extended to a Life Time ban for two, subsequent positive tests. He was later reinstated after having served only one year.