Dick Fosbury

Richard Douglas Fosbury (March 6, 1947 – March 12, 2023) was an American high jumper. He revolutionized the high jump event in athletics. His invention, the "Fosbury flop" was a backwards leap over the bar. This was basically made possible by softer landing material: foam rubber instead of wood chips. Fosbury won the Olympic event in 1968.  From that time on, all jumpers changed to his method. He had changed the sport.

Category:Sportspeople from Portland, Oregon
Category:American high jumpers
Category:1947 births
Category:2023 deaths
Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States