Harvard Stadium, Cambridge, MA, USA | July 23, 1921
One of the most remarkable athletics results of the year was achieved at the Harvard–Yale versus Oxford–Cambridge match at the end of July. On his first attempt, Harvard law student Ed Gourdin leaped 7.69m (25-3) to set a long jump world record, which stood as the record of the university' for 93 years. In the metric world, these figures were just one among many, but in English-speaking countries, champagne bottles were probably opened because the mythical barrier of 25 feet had been surpassed for the first time by human effort.
Competing on his home ground, Gourdin hit the end of the sandpit, even though the sand pile had already been lengthened twice because of his known participation in the competition.
In other jumping events, results were also achieved. Antwerp Olympic champion Richmond Landon jumped with a world-leading result of 198.1 (6-6) and earned a point for the Americans with his event victory.
In the 880-yard race, there was a fierce battle for the win, with a fast pace to boot. Tom Campbell of Yale edged out Bevil Rudd, the South African 400-meter Olympic champion representing Oxford-Cambridge and keeping up the pace on the first lap. Their times of 1:54.4 and 1:54.7 placed them among the top six in the world rankings.
Britain’s Henry Stallard, 23, claimed a somewhat easier victory in the full mile. The future doctor strolled in main group for three laps and cut to the front as the bell rang.
Harvard–Yale won with a score of 8–2.
1-3 (Spalding's Athletic Almanac)
New York Herald, July 31, 1921 (photos)
Idrottsbladet 1.8.1921 (in Swedish, results wrong)
Helsingin Sanomat 21.8.1921 (in Finnish)
Idrottsbladet 22.8.1921 (in Swedish)
Suomen Urheilulehti, August 25, 1921 (in Finnish)
Edward Gourdin website (The Unle Goose Society)