Dick Fosbury
FameRank: 4

"Richard Douglas "Dick" Fosbury" is one of the most influential athletes in the history of track and field. He revolutionized the high jump event, inventing a unique "back-first" technique, now known as the Fosbury Flop, adopted by almost all high jumpers today. His method was to sprint diagonally towards the bar, then curve and leap backwards over the bar. He continues to be involved in athletics and serves on the executive board of the World Olympians Association In 2014 Fosbury is running for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives.

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I adapted an antiquated style and modernized it to something that was efficient. I didn't know anyone else in the world would be able to use it and I never imagined it would revolutionize the event.

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I didn't train to make the Olympic team until 1968. I simply trained for the moment. I never even imagined I would be an Olympic athlete. It always seemed to evolve.

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I was told over and over again that I would never be successful, that I was not going to be competitive and the technique was simply not going to work. All I could do was shrug and say 'We'll just have to see'.

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