Dick Fosbury dead at 76: Athletics legend and Olympic gold medallist who revolutionised the high jump passes away

ATHLETICS legend Dick Fosbury has passed away aged 76.

Fosbury revolutionised high jumping by becoming the first athlete to jump backwards, with his technique becoming known as the ‘Fosbury flop’.

GettyDick Fosbury revolutionised the high jump[/caption]

AFPHis ‘Fosbury flop’ technique won him Olympic gold in 1968[/caption]

AFPTributes have poured in for the track & field Hall of Famer[/caption]

The jumping style gave him a huge advantage over his rivals at the 1968 Olympics, where he won gold with a jump of 2.24 metres.

Four years later at the Munich Olympics 28 of the 40 competitors used the ‘Fosbury flop’, which exists to this day.

Previously high jumpers had used a scissor kick technique, but Fosbury’s innovation transformed the sport.

Fosbury was inducted into the American Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1981.

Tributes have poured in for the American after he passed away on Sunday following a battle with lymphoma.

Former sprinter Michael Johnson said: “The world legend is probably used too often. Dick Fosbury was a true LEGEND!

“He changed an entire event forever with a technique that looked crazy at the time but the result made it the standard.”

British sprinter Adam Gemilli wrote: “R.I.P Dick Fosbury. Athletics has lost a true legend.

“An absolute gentleman who gave me nothing but time when I met him in my younger years. You will be missed by so many. My condolences to his family and those who knew him personally. Gone but never forgotten ”

Former World 200m champion Ato Bolden tweeted: “R.I.P. 1968 Olympic gold medalist and high jump legend/pioneer Dick Fosbury, who passed away on Sunday.

“Condolences to his family and friends. Godspeed, Fos, from an eternally grateful sport.”