It was fifty years ago today- October 20, 1968 at the Summer Olympics in Mexico City- American high jumper set a new Olympic record in winning the gold medal. He not only won the gold medal but revolutionized the sport with what was called the Fosbury Flop. It was a new style of jumping-his way was to twist his body and go over the bar upside down and head first. It was revolutionary in 1968 but every high jumper now uses this technique today. His jump on this day in 1968 to win the gold- 7 feet 4 1/2 inches. The World Record now for the high jump was set in 1993- Javier Sotomayer of Cuba 8 feet 1/4th an inch.

https://www.nbcsports.com/video/dick-fosbury-revolutionized-high-jump-1968-olympic-games