Athletics

Great Olympic moments: Mexico City 1968 Men's High Jump Final

Dick Fosbury (USA), inventor of the Fosbury Flop style of high-jumping, leaps over the bar on his way to a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. — Dick Fosbury (USA), inventor of the "Fosbury Flop" style of high-jumping, leaps over the bar on his way to a gold medal at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico.

Tony Duffy/ALLSPORT

With Tokyo 2020 now just one year away, it’s time to relive some of the greatest Olympic moments in history. Today, 2 August 2020, the Mexico City 1968 men's high jump final.

The schedule for Tokyo 2020 has been confirmed, venues announced and while athletes around the world are busy gearing up to qualify for the greatest show on Earth, it's time to enjoy 16 days full of the most unforgettable, inspiring and exciting memories from the past as preparations for Tokyo 2020 gather pace!

Mexico City 1968 Men's High Jump Final

It's not often that a final comes around that changes a sport completely. But that's exactly what happened when Dick Fosbury took to the field for the final of the men's high jump at Mexico 1968. Before Fosbury, high jumpers had traditionally jumped over the bar face first using a "straddle" technique. But in 1968, all that changed, as Fosbury introduced his new "Fosbury Flop" technique to the world.

The rest - as they say - is history.

You can read more about the "Fosbury Flop" here.