Dick Fosbury – the person who revolutionised the top leap in athletics – has died on the age of 76.
The American leapt backwards over the bar to win gold on the 1968 Mexico Olympics in one way which become referred to as the ‘Fosbury Flop’ and is utilized by top jumpers these days.
On the Video games Fosbury set a then file of two.24 metres the usage of his approach.
Writing on Instagram, Fosbury’s agent Ray Schulte mentioned his shopper had died on Sunday.
“It’s with an excessively heavy center I’ve to unlock the inside track that long-time buddy and shopper Dick Fosbury kicked the bucket peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning after a brief bout with a recurrence of lymphoma,” wrote Schulte.
“Dick shall be very much ignored via pals and enthusiasts from all over the world. A real legend, and buddy of all.”
Fosbury started experimenting with the ‘flop’ in class and, inspired via his coaches, he had all-but perfected it by the point he was once in upper schooling.
Within the Olympic top leap ultimate of 1968, the 6ft 5in athlete cleared 2.24m on his 3rd try to win the gold.
“He modified a complete match eternally with one way that seemed loopy on the time however the outcome made it the usual,” mentioned American four-time Olympic champion and BBC pundit Michael Johnson.
Fosbury is survived via his spouse Robin Tomasi, son Erich and stepdaughters Stephanie Thomas-Phipps and Kristin Thompson.
“Our recreation misplaced a real legend and innovator with the passing of Dick Fosbury,” mentioned the US Monitor and Box (USATF).
“He invented the ‘Fosbury Flop’, was once a gold medallist on the 1968 Video games, and remained an suggest for athletes his whole lifestyles. Fosbury’s legacy will live to tell the tale for generations to return.”
USATF leader government Max Siegel mentioned he was once “deeply saddened” via Fosbury’s passing and known as him a “true legend and pioneer on this planet of monitor and box”.
He added: “We can all the time be thankful for his contributions to the game and his affect on generations of athletes who adopted in his footsteps.
“Dick shall be deeply ignored yet his legacy will live to tell the tale as an inspiration to all.”
