Big Event

[DoubleRBar]

The "Big Event" for December happened 68 years ago today in South America. The athlete that set this new world record would go on to win Olympic gold. This particular record was set in the same country in which the athlete was born. Another clue is this performance established a new "barrier" in this event. Name the athlete, the event, and bonus points for the actual performance and for the city where this happened 68 years ago today.

[tandfman]

The athlete/event must have been Adhemar Ferreira da Silva.

[DoubleRBar]

Very good, tandfman. The athlete was Adhemar da Silva. Now, which event and maybe even the performance?

[dukehjsteve]

16 meters

[LopenUupunut]

It wasn't a new barrier, though; Tajima jumped 16.00 at the 1936 Olympics.

[DoubleRBar]

Good job, dukehjsteve and you're right, LopenUupunut, Tajima set a world record in Berlin (1936) which da Silva tied in Brazil.

[bambam1729]

DoubleRBar - nothing on gold medalists today - two fairly big names born today who won Olympic gold medals - I'll let you give he clues

[tandfman]

He did one of them last year--the younger one.