The Fosbury Flop

The Chinese read backwards, and it doesn't seem to hurt their eyes. The Czechs make movies backwards, and do all right at the box office. So why shouldn't an American named Dick Fosbury win gold and glory at the Olympics --by jumping backwards?

He just may. Fosbury, 21, a senior at Oregon State University, has been racking up victory after victory this year with the most preposterous high-jumping technique ever devised. Approaching the bar, he plants his right foot, spins a full 180DEG, and launches himself backwards into the air. Experts are at a loss to explain why the "Fosbury Flop" works. "I wouldn't advise anybody else to try it," says Oregon State Coach Berny Wagner. But it sure does the trick for Dick. Last month Fosbury cleared 7 ft. 2 1/4 in. to win the N.C.A.A. championship, and last week he soared 7 ft. 1 in. to take first place at the U.S. Olympic trials.

Fosbury stoutly defends his style as being scientifically superior. "I've studied physics and engineering," he says, "and jumping my way, I am less likely to hit the bar with my head, arms or legs." He is, of course, more likely to shatter his spine--landing as he does, flush on his shoulder blades. Dick airily dismisses the danger, and besides, his technique is actually a matter of necessity. Using the orthodox frontwards straddle roll, the highest Fosbury can jump is 5 ft. 10 in.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.