How wide is the take-off board in the Olympic long jump?

The take-off board in the Olympic long jump is 20 centimetres wide.

The board is placed level with the beginning of the landing area and is normally 1.22 metres long. Athletes must take off from behind its front edge; stepping beyond that edge makes the attempt a foul. A plasticine indicator beside the board helps officials detect an overstep.

The board’s width gives competitors a clearly defined take-off zone while still demanding precise foot placement at high speed. The jumper sprints along the runway, plants on or behind the board, and lands in a sand pit. The measured distance runs from the board’s front edge to the nearest mark in the sand.

The board should not be confused with the foul-line indicator used in some other jumping events. In the triple jump, the take-off board is also 20 cm wide, but the runway and landing procedure lead into three phases before the pit.