pituushyppyä

Pituushyppyä is the Finnish term for the long jump, an athletic track and field event in which athletes compete to see how far they can jump from a takeoff point. The jump is measured from the edge of the takeoff board to the closest mark made by any part of the athlete's body in the landing area. The event is one of the oldest and most popular disciplines in athletics, with origins dating back to ancient Olympic Games.

The long jump involves a run-up, a takeoff, a flight phase, and a landing. Athletes accelerate down a runway, typically around 40-45 meters long, before reaching a takeoff board. They must take off from behind the takeoff board; a foul occurs if they step over it. During the flight phase, athletes use various techniques, such as the hitch-kick or hang technique, to maximize their horizontal distance. The landing is made in a sand pit.

Modern pituushyppyä competitions are governed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now known as World Athletics. Athletes perform a series of jumps, and the longest successful jump determines the winner. World records are held by Mike Powell of the United States for men with a jump of 8.95 meters, and Galina Chistyakova of the Soviet Union for women with a jump of 7.52 meters. The event is a staple of the Olympic Games and other major international athletics competitions.