Olympic long jump champion is the outright British record-holder following the ratification of his 8.51m leap by UKA

Greg Rutherford’s British long jump record mark of 8.51m has been ratified by UK Athletics, meaning the Olympic champion has become the sole owner of the record.

The 27-year-old recorded the record leap at a low-key meeting in Chula Vista, San Diego, last month. However, following the competition grainy images from a video on YouTube that appeared to show Rutherford’s toe over the board were circulated and those, together with the reported lack of Plasticine normally used to help judge a foul, meant the mark had been discredited.

The reluctant leader of those doubting the authenticity of Rutherford’s record was fellow British long jumper Chris Tomlinson, who previously shared the UK record of 8.35m jointly with Rutherford.

On Tuesday a statement was released from the national governing body’s technical advisory group confirming the ratification of the mark.

“This being a UK record application, under current arrangements, it is a matter to be considered by the technical advisory group,” read the statement. “Having considered all the available evidence the technical advisory group recommends that the record be ratified.”

In reaching the decision the group considered the field scorecard for the event which had been signed by a licensed USA Track and Field official, the wind speed card for the event, the performance having satisfied USA Track and Field rules and the programme/entry list for the event. The meeting director is also said to have responded satisfactorily to a number of questions.

Although the group advised that video evidence would not normally be considered for a UK record application, given the “controversy” surrounding this mark they gave further comment on the footage, with the group declaring that the video evidence is inconclusive as it was not an official video and it was not taken directly in line with the take-off board. Under the relevant rule, if the evidence is inconclusive, the decision of the referee is upheld.

The technical advisory group comprises around 10 people and included four IAAF-level officials.

Prior to the record jump being ratified, a UKA spokeswoman had told AW: “With any new British record, British Athletics receives paperwork from the event the athlete competed in and this goes before the British Athletics technical advisory group, who then ratify the record based on a number of sanctions being completed.”

The record leap moved Rutherford from joint 68th on the world all-time list to joint 19th and remains the furthest anyone has jumped so far this year.

It marked a fantastic return to form for the athlete who struggled with injury in 2013 having ruptured his hamstring at the Paris Diamond League. He finished eighth at the IAAF World Championships in Moscow a month later, recording a season’s best of 8.22m.

Following his 8.51m leap, Rutherford said how he is targeting a spot in the top 10 of the world all-time list in the future, a feat which currently requires a leap of at least 8.66m.

You can read more from that interview with Rutherford here.