Ancient Olympic Replica Long Jump Weights - pair left & right

 

 The long jump was one of the events of the original Olympics in Ancient Greece. The athletes carried a weight in each hand, which were called 'Halteres' These weights were swung forward as the athlete jumped in order to increase momentum. It is commonly believed that the jumper would throw the weights behind him in mid-air to increase his forward momentum; however, halteres were held throughout the duration of the jump. Swinging them down and back at the end of the jump would change the athlete's center of gravity and allow the athlete to stretch his legs outward, increasing his distance.