Legendary high jumper Dick Fosbury joins Athletics for a Better World
Dick Fosbury's Athletics for a Better World donation (c)
Dick Fosbury who revolutionized the world of high jumping when introducing what would be remembered as the “Fosbury Flop” has donated an autographed framed picture of his jumping technique to the IAAF humanitarian project Athletics for a Better World.
"The photograph was taken by Raymond Depardon at the 1968 Olympics, where I launched the new style in international competition," said Fosbury, 58.
"I am offering this autographed picture to fans and collectors of Track & Field memorabilia to help contribute to the sport which changed my life. I have learned so many lessons from sport and I am honoured to help this event in a small way."
"My best wishes to you all!"
It was as a high schooler in Medford, Oregon, that Fosbury developed his new technique that worked so well that he improved by 30 centimetres in high school. The "Fosbury Flop," involved going over the bar headfirst and backward, with one's body horizontal to the ground.
Great things were in store for him. At Oregon State University, Fosbury first cleared 2.13m (7 feet) during the 1968 indoor season and became a surprise winner at the Mexico City Olympics by clearing 2.24m which established Olympic and American records.
Fosbury's experiments began with him using the antiquated jump style called the "scissors," until his high school coach pressed him to use the "straddle," or "belly roll," which was then the high jumping norm.
Failing to master the straddle, Fosbury reverted to a scissors, then modified by going over the bar backward. The "flop" was born.
A two-time national collegiate champion, Fosbury made his record jump in Mexico City on his third attempt. In 1969 he won the NCAA title before placing second in the National AAU meet.
After he failed to make the 1972 Olympic team, he became a professional in 1973. He was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1992.
After several years of controversy over whether the "Fosbury Flop" was safe, it became the standard jumping technique worldwide. Fosbury often gave clinics for young athletes, in which he explained that the "flop" involved landing safely on one's shoulders, not one's neck, as was commonly feared.
Fosbury’s donation will be auctioned at the end of the year and all profits donated to the United Nations Associations: FAO, UNICEF and WFP.