\n<\/p>\n
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.<\/b><\/p>\n
“When you\u2019re on the runway, watch the flag at the top of the stadium because that\u2019s a good indication of the wind,” he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But as he watched that faithful flag drop, the Welshman knew his window of opportunity had opened. <\/p>\n
He tore down the runway, hit the board and launched himself into the sodden sand.<\/p>\n
The scoreboard turned around and it showed 8.06m.<\/p>\n
That distance not only earned Davies the Olympic title, but the lifelong nickname of Lynn ‘the leap’.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n