Purpose: To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of long jump takeoff between elite long jumpers and sprinters. Method : A Redlake high-speed camera(125Hz) was synchronized with a Kistler force platform (1250Hz) to collect the long jump takeoff data. Another Sony digital camera (60Hz) was used to collect approach speed data. The kinematics data were analyzed by using Kwon3D software and the raw data were smoothing by a Butterworth 4th-order Zero Lag Digital formula (cutoff frequency:6Hz).Result: The elite long jumpers have greater values than the sprinters on jumping distance, vertical velocity of body center of gravity (CG)at take off ,takeoff angle, change of vertical velocity of body CG at takeoff ,net hip moment and power at touch down, ankle power at support phase. In addition, the peak horizontal velocity of CG at last second step, body CG horizontal and vertical velocity at takeoff, takeoff angle, change of body CG vertical velocity at takeoff, horizontal braking, propelling, total and vertical impulse, net ankle force and net hip moment at takeoff, hip power at touch down and ankle power at support phase have the positive relationship with jumping distance. However, the body CG change of vertical velocity at takeoff, the support time, time to the peak vertical force, propelling time, net hip force at support phase, and net knee moment at touch down have negative relationship with jumping distance. Conclusion: Under the similar approach run speed, the elite long jumpers have greater jumping distance, vertical velocity of CG at takeoff, takeoff angle, change of vertical velocity of CG at takeoff, net hip moment and power at touch down, ankle power at support phase than the sprinters. The elite long jumpers also have shorter support time and propelling time and smaller net knee moment at touch down than the sprinters.