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Dick Fosbury – the man who revolutionised the high jump in athletics – has died at the age of 76.
The American leapt backwards over the bar to win gold at the 1968 Mexico Olympics in a technique which became known as the ‘Fosbury Flop’ and is used by high jumpers today.
At the Games Fosbury set a then record of 2.24 metres using his method.
Writing on Instagram, Fosbury’s agent Ray Schulte said his client had died on Sunday.
“It is with a very heavy heart I have to release the news that long time friend and client Dick Fosbury passed away peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning after a short bout with a recurrence of lymphoma,” wrote Schulte.
“Dick will be greatly missed by friends and fans from around the world. A true legend, and friend of all.”
Fosbury began experimenting with the ‘flop’ at school and, encouraged by his coaches, he had all-but perfected it by the time he was in higher education.
In…
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