{"id":30422,"date":"2023-03-13T21:21:54","date_gmt":"2023-03-13T21:21:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fusefornews.com\/2023\/03\/13\/dick-fosbury-the-athlete-who-developed-the-fosbury-flop-dies-aged-76\/"},"modified":"2023-03-13T21:21:54","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T21:21:54","slug":"dick-fosbury-the-athlete-who-developed-the-fosbury-flop-dies-aged-76","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fusefornews.com\/?p=30422","title":{"rendered":"Dick Fosbury: The athlete who developed the ‘Fosbury Flop’ dies aged 76"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The “Fosbury Flop” has been widely used in the high jump since Dick Fosbury used it<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dick Fosbury – the man who revolutionised the high jump in athletics – has died at the age of 76.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The American leapt backwards over the bar to win gold at the 1968 Mexico Olympics in a technique which became known as the ‘Fosbury Flop’ and is used by high jumpers today.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

At the Games Fosbury set a then record of 2.24 metres using his method.<\/span><\/p>\n

Writing on Instagram, Fosbury’s agent Ray Schulte said his client had died on Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n

“It is with a very heavy heart I have to release the news that long time friend and client Dick Fosbury passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning after a short bout with a recurrence of lymphoma,” wrote Schulte.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Dick will be greatly missed by friends and fans from around the world. A true legend, and friend of all.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Fosbury began experimenting with the ‘flop’ at school and, encouraged by his coaches, he had all-but perfected it by the time he was in higher education.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the Olympic high jump final of 1968, the 6ft 5in athlete cleared 2.24m on his third attempt to win the gold.<\/span><\/p>\n

“He changed an entire event forever with a technique that looked crazy at the time but the result made it the standard,” said American four-time Olympic champion and <\/span>BBC pundit Michael Johnson.<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Fosbury is survived by his wife Robin Tomasi, son Erich and stepdaughters Stephanie Thomas-Phipps and Kristin Thompson.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Our sport lost a true legend and innovator with the passing of Dick Fosbury,” <\/span>said the USA Track and Field (USATF).<\/span>external-link<\/title><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

“He invented the “Fosbury Flop”, was a gold medallist at the 1968 Games, and remained an advocate for athletes his entire life. Fosbury’s legacy will live on for generations to come.”<\/span><\/p>\n

USATF chief executive Max Siegel said he was “deeply saddened” by Fosbury’s passing and called him a “true legend and pioneer in the world of track and field”. <\/span><\/p>\n

He added: “We will always be grateful for his contributions to the sport and his impact on generations of athletes who followed in his footsteps.<\/span><\/p>\n

“Dick will be deeply missed but his legacy will live on as an inspiration to all.”<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n