Richard Douglas Fosbury (March 6, 1947 – March 12, 2023) was an American high jumper, who is considered one of the most influential athletes in the history of track and field. He won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics, revolutionizing the high jump event with a “back-first” technique now known as the Fosbury Flop.
Who was Dick Fosbury? High jumper who revolutionized high jump dead aged 76
“With his groundbreaking ‘Fosbury Flop’ technique, Dick Fosbury not only won Olympic gold at Mexico City in 1968 but also revolutionized the high jump. He was truly an Olympic pioneer and legend,” Team USA posted on Twitter. At the age of 76, Dick Fosbury died.
Fosbury won gold in the high jump at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, where he jumped back first to clear the bar, a technique that has since been named the “Fosbury Flop” and is used by all high jumpers today.
“With his groundbreaking ‘Fosbury Flop’ technique, Dick Fosbury not only won Olympic gold at Mexico City in 1968 but also revolutionized the high jump. He was truly an Olympic pioneer and legend,” Team USA posted on Twitter.