Dick Fosbury: The athlete who developed the ‘Fosbury Flop’ dies aged 76
Dick Fosbury – the person who revolutionised the significant leap in athletics – has died at the age of 76.
The American leapt backwards more than the bar to earn gold at the 1968 Mexico Olympics in a procedure which became acknowledged as the ‘Fosbury Flop’ and is employed by substantial jumpers currently.
At the Online games Fosbury established a then history of 2.24 metres applying his system.
Writing on Instagram, Fosbury’s agent Ray Schulte reported his shopper had died on Sunday.
“It is with a really heavy heart I have to release the information that prolonged-time friend and customer Dick Fosbury handed away peacefully in his rest early Sunday early morning soon after a quick bout with a recurrence of lymphoma,” wrote Schulte.
“Dick will be greatly missed by good friends and fans from around the world. A correct legend, and close friend of all.”
Fosbury started experimenting with the ‘flop’ at school and, inspired by his coaches, he had all-but perfected it by the time he was in higher schooling.
In the Olympic superior soar last of 1968, the 6ft 5in athlete cleared 2.24m on his third endeavor to win the gold.
“He changed an entire occasion endlessly with a procedure that looked insane at the time but the final result designed it the common,” claimed American four-time Olympic champion and BBC pundit Michael Johnson.
Fosbury is survived by his spouse Robin Tomasi, son Erich and stepdaughters Stephanie Thomas-Phipps and Kristin Thompson.
“Our activity misplaced a true legend and innovator with the passing of Dick Fosbury,” stated the United states of america Monitor and Industry (USATF).
“He invented the ‘Fosbury Flop’, was a gold medallist at the 1968 Online games, and remained an advocate for athletes his overall daily life. Fosbury’s legacy will live on for generations to arrive.”
USATF main government Max Siegel explained he was “deeply saddened” by Fosbury’s passing and called him a “correct legend and pioneer in the globe of monitor and field”.
He additional: “We will always be grateful for his contributions to the sport and his affect on generations of athletes who followed in his footsteps.
“Dick will be deeply skipped but his legacy will dwell on as an inspiration to all.”
