Legendary athlete Dick Fosbury, who enthralled TV viewers through the 1968 Mexico Metropolis Olympic Video games, the place he gained the Gold within the excessive bounce, has died. He was 76.
Fosbury’s passing was confirmed by his publicist Ray Schulte on Monday (March 13), who wrote on Instagram, “It’s with a really heavy coronary heart I’ve to launch the information that longtime buddy and shopper Dick Fosbury handed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning after a brief bout with a recurrence of lymphoma.”
Acknowledged as one of the vital influential athletes in observe and discipline historical past, the Gold medalist turned heads on the 1968 Olympics when he showcased his signature “Fosbury Flop,” the place he would run diagonally in the direction of the bar within the excessive bounce and throw himself over again first. His spectacular approach broke Olympic and US data, incomes a gold medal with a bounce of two.24 meters.
After returning to the U.S. following his Olympics victory, Fosbury made appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and The Mike Douglas Show. And that very same yr, the “flop” helped Fosbury win the NCAA indoor and out of doors championships. The transfer quickly grew to become the adopted method of excessive bounce athletes all over the world.
Fosbury by no means returned to the Olympics, however he continued to be concerned in athletics after retirement, serving on the chief board of the World Olympians Affiliation. In 1981, he was inducted into the Nationwide Observe and Area Corridor of Fame.
The excessive bounce was perpetually modified.
Relaxation in peace, Dick Fosbury ❤️ pic.twitter.com/WzXgOmrFvP
— Crew USA (@TeamUSA) March 13, 2023
Throughout his medal ceremony on the 1968 Olympics, Fosbury confirmed solidarity with the sooner civil rights protest on the video games by elevating his fist after the nationwide anthem. And, in 2014, he ran as a Democrat for a seat within the Idaho Home of Representatives, although he misplaced out to incumbent Republican Consultant Steve Miller.
He additionally based the non-profit group World Match with fellow Olympians Gary Corridor and Anne Cribbs. The corporate promotes youth health applications and Olympic beliefs.
“I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Dick Fosbury, a real legend and pioneer on the earth of observe and discipline. Dick’s progressive strategy of the ‘Fosbury Flop’ revolutionized the excessive bounce occasion and perpetually modified the game,” Max Siegel, CEO of USA Observe & Area mentioned in an announcement (through CNN).
“His gold medal victory on the 1968 Mexico Metropolis Olympics not solely cemented his place in U.S. Olympic historical past, but additionally left an indelible mark on the worldwide athletic group. We are going to at all times be thankful for his contributions to the game and his impression on generations of athletes who adopted in his footsteps.”
Take a look at extra tributes beneath.
He’ll dwell on in Olympic historical past.
Relaxation in peace, Dick Fosbury, the person who modified excessive bounce perpetually. pic.twitter.com/bzCP0HwYHE
— The Olympic Video games (@Olympics) March 14, 2023
The world legend might be used too usually. Dick Fosbury was a real LEGEND! He modified a complete occasion perpetually with a method that regarded loopy on the time however the outcome made it the usual. https://t.co/4qx0WQ08pu
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) March 13, 2023
R.I.P. 1968 Olympic gold medalist and excessive bounce legend/pioneer Dick Fosbury, who handed away on Sunday. Condolences to his household and pals. Godspeed, Fos, from an eternally grateful sport. pic.twitter.com/BzV9XsGHff
— Ato Boldon (@AtoBoldon) March 13, 2023
RIP Dick Fosbury, a person who revolutionised his sport with a wise piece of physics.
Fosbury realised that by leaping backwards and bending his again he might go over the bar whereas his centre of mass went below.
Genius.pic.twitter.com/SeqxC3gU9g— Equipment Yates (@Kit_Yates_Maths) March 14, 2023
There are some Athletes who innovate of their Sport to such a level they completely change the character of their Sport.
Dick Fosbury was simply such a pioneer.#RIPDickFosbury #TheFosburyFlop pic.twitter.com/0TtUT4x05e
— Michael Warburton (@MichaelWarbur17) March 13, 2023
So unhappy to listen to of the passing of Dick Fosbury on the age of 76, I took this image of him on the 1968 Olympic Video games in Mexico Metropolis, it was the primary time I witnessed ‘The Flop’, now universally recognised because the norm for top leaping. #RIPDickFosbury pic.twitter.com/nMSV0Mndgx
— Mark Shearman MBE (@AthleticsImages) March 13, 2023
When he wanted to go larger than what was attainable, Dick Fosbury created a brand new means of leaping. And the “Fosbury Flop” was born, perpetually altering the excessive bounce and cementing his legacy in observe and discipline.
At this time, we bear in mind a real innovator who confirmed us all that Unimaginable Is… https://t.co/VFT3l4I6NA pic.twitter.com/hL3rJyNZtV
— adidas (@adidas) March 13, 2023
Sorry to report that OSU alum Dick Fosbury, who revolutionized the world together with his backwards-over-the-bar high-jump type, died Sunday, March 12, after a recurrence of lymphoma. He was 76. “Foz” gained an Olympic gold medal in 1968—5 years after individuals laughed at his new type. pic.twitter.com/kheaurvSHN
— Bob Welch (@bob_welch23) March 13, 2023
