The Innovation of the Fosbury Flop

Dick Fosbury revolutionized the high jump with his unconventional technique during the 1968 Olympics, which became known as the Fosbury Flop. Unlike traditional high jump methods, Fosbury approached the bar backwards, twisting his body mid-air before landing on his back. This counterintuitive move initially puzzled spectators, but it resulted in him winning a gold medal, setting a precedent for future high jumpers. Today, this technique is the standard, demonstrating how one person's innovative idea can reshape a sport for generations to come.