Kareem Streete-Thompson's latestlong jump efforts have raised him to the position of the world'sninth-best performer for this year in non-wind-aided attemptsas of 10 May.This places him in the long jump rankings with the 13th best non-wind-assistedperformance. This seeming contradiction occurs because severaljumpers have outdistanced Kareem's current 2000 best in more thanone competition.
Kareem's second-place leap of 26'5 3/4 in martinique last monthwas noted wind-aided. Surprisingly, perhaps, it also carried anotation of being performed at altitude. One does not usuallyassociate track and field events conducted in Martinique as beingat altitude.
Streete-Thompson bettered his previous best for the year at Houstontwo weeks ago, when he upped his mark to 26'7 1/4, with a tailwindwithin the legal limit.
When the wind behind the performer exceeds 2 meters per secondwhen measured during the long jumper's approach, the mark is notedas wind-assisted.
One of twenty-nine jumps this year, with or without wind assistance,which equal or better Kareem's martinique posting, all are creditedto performers from four countries -- the United States (8 jumpers),Australia (3), Japan (3), and Cuba (2).
And Kareem Streete-Thompson of the Cayman islands. Peter Burgeof Australia has topped Kareem's Martinique mark six times alreadythis year, with Savante Stringfellow of the United States achievingthe feat three times.
Surprise, surprise! Leaving everyone else behind in the pit isIvan Pedroso of Cuba, who has extended to 27'8 1/4. Masaki Morinagaof Japan is second in the standings with a windy 27' 4 1/2, whilethe next spot is held by Melvin Lister of the United States, showinga legal 27'3 1/2.