Abused, expelled, orphaned at eight months: how athlete Bob Beamon beat the odds - and became a legend

In 1968, in one of the top five Olympic moments of the last century, the long jumper made a leap so jaw-dropping it inspired the superlative Beamonesque. He discusses pride, pressure and the politics of that momentous Summer Games Lot number 11 in Christie's "Exceptional Sale" earlier this year lived up to its billing. This was the holy grail for the well-heeled sports fan or history buff - Olympic glory in the palm of your hand. In an auction that included a Louis XIV tapestry and what was beli...