Jai Desmond Taurima (born 26 June 1972 in Southport, Queensland) is an Australian retired athlete who competed in the long jump.
Despite smoking a packet of cigarettes a day, he won a surprising silver medal at the 2000 Olympics with a personal best jump of 8.49 metres. This was the Oceanic record at the time. He is the son of Elaine (†) and Floyd Taurima, and a sibling of Corrie and Australian track and field coach Stacey Taurima. His partner is Jennifer Smith.Area Outdoor Records - Men - Oceania - IAAF.org He is also known as Jumping Jai or Jumping Jai Taurima.
In addition, Taurima won a silver medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games.
Since retiring from athletics, Taurima has joined the Australian Federal Police.http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/01/28/1075088087487.html?from=storyrhs [retrieved 24/9/10]
Of New Zealand Māori descent, Taurima affiliates to the Ngāti Kahungunu iwi.
In 2014, his daughter, Indie Rose, died from leukemia at the age of two years old.
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