One state is taking a small step—or maybe a “long jump”—toward the metric system. Florida is set to become the first state in the U.S. to ditch the imperial system—which uses inches and feet—in favor of the metric system in high school field events, like the pole vault and long jump. The U.S. is one of only three countries in the world—along with Liberia and Myanmar—that haven’t adopted the metric system as the official system of measurements and weights. Although the Florida High School Athletic Association (F.H.S.A.A.) intends to switch for this year’s track and field season, there aren’t any plans for the state as a whole—or the U.S.—to change just yet.
Florida Goes Metric

Brian Miller/Democrat
Florida will use the metric system for high school field events.

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