Dick Fosbury

Dick Fosbury DEMDemocrat

American athletics competitor, high jumper

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Dick FosburyDEMDemocrat American athletics competitor, high jumper
76
Age at Death1947-2023
20
Years of Experience
IDResidence (state)

Richard Douglas Fosbury (March 6, 1947 – March 12, 2023) was an American high jumper, who is considered one of the most influential athletes in the history of track and field. He won a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics, revolutionizing the high jump event with a "back-first" technique now known as the Fosbury flop. His method was to sprint diagonally towards the bar, then curve and leap backwards over the bar, which gave him a much lower center of mass in flight than traditional techniques. This approach has seen nearly universal adoption since Fosbury's performance in Mexico. Though he never returned to the Olympics, Fosbury continued to be involved in athletics after retirement and served on the executive board of the World Olympians Association.In 2014, Fosbury unsuccessfully challenged Steve Miller for a seat in the Idaho House of Representatives. Fosbury ran for Blaine County Commissioner against incumbent Larry Schoen in 2018, won the seat, and took office in January 2019.

Education4 - 4 of 2
North Medford High School
South Medford High School
Past Positions1 - 10 of 10
Honorary Chairman
Simplot Games
Current
Commissioner
Blaine County, Idaho
2018 - Current
Appointee
Ketchum Area Rapid Transit Board (KART)
1988 - 2003
Chair
'So Much More' Campaign
Chair
Blaine County’s Comprehensive Plan Update
Member
Blaine County Planning and Zoning Commissioner
Vice President
United States Olympic and Paralympic Association
Current
Former Partner
Sawtooth Engineers/Galena Engineering
1977 - 2011
Member
United States Olympic Team
1968
City Engineer
Ketchum, Sun Valley
Other Experience1 - 2 of 2
Board of Directors
Wood River Young Men's Christian Association
Current
Treasurer.Founder
Idaho Chapter of Olympians
2007 - Current