StoryCorps
Game Changers
Jul 30, 2024
Discover how the innovative Fosbury Flop redefined high jump at the 1968 Olympics through the journey of a college student. Explore the transformative power of sports via a basketball player's personal challenges and identity. Delve into the trailblazing story of Rusty Kanekoge, who championed women's judo and helped it become an Olympic sport. Hear about a female judoka's fight for inclusion in the 1950s and her legacy as a mentor. Finally, reflect on the impact of unsung heroes in athletics, including a posthumous Olympic gold medal story.
18:04
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Quick takeaways
- Dick Fosbury's unconventional high jump technique, the Fosbury Flop, transformed high jumping standards and redefined athletic performance.
- Kenny Sailors' innovation of the jump shot in basketball demonstrated how perseverance can reshape competitive strategies in sports.
Deep dives
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.
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