Other sources name the American Edward Bloss with 14.78 m (1893) or his compatriot Daniel Shanahan with 15.28 m (1888) as record holders. The differences apparently also have to do with whether different jumping techniques were recognized or not. For a long time now there has been a rule with regard to the order of the legs used when jumping that it is either left - left - right or right - right - left . At that time, however, this regulation was not yet clearly established and was not yet applied to the Olympic competition in Athens .
Course of the competition
The Hungarian Alajos Szokolyi - here at the hurdles - finished in the triple jump in fourth
The German Fritz Hofmann - among others also second over 100 m and fourth over 400 m - probably also placed in the triple jump
April 6, 1896, 3:40 p.m.
The triple jump was the first decision of the modern Olympic Games, making Connolly the first modern Olympic champion. Before that, only the prelims over 100 meters had taken place. It is reported from the competition that there was still no uniform jumping style. Only Tuffèri jumped in the usual sequence left - left - right or right - right - left , today's designation of the individual sections: "Hop-Step-Jump". Connolly performed his jumps in the form left - right - left .
James Connolly was a student at Harvard University and, contrary to the prohibition of his teaching establishment, drove to Athens, with which he accepted the threat of de-registration. When he returned, he decided not to apply for a readmission. He became a journalist and a successful writer. In 1949 Harvard University awarded him the title of Dr. honoris causa. In 1957, James Connolly died at the age of 88.
There are also different results versions for this competition, depending on the source. The names of the first four jumpers are identical, the width for Alajos Szokolyi on rank four differs and from rank six the order and number of participants do not match.