We lost a revolutionary
in the world of track and field yesterday.
Olympic gold medalist **** Fosbury
dedicated his life to helping athletes
here in Idaho and around the world.
The ambassador of the high jump and
inventor of the Fosbury Flop died
yesterday morning at 76 years old.
Today we're hearing from Idahoans
fortunate enough to call him friend,
who say they were shocked
to learn of his passing.
He ran, jumped and hit his
landing for the last time,
leaving a deep hole.
It's a big one in the
hearts of everyone he knew.
He's got his hand in a lot of different
things and just a big gentle soul.
And in the world of track and field,
he's going to leave, you know,
a strong legacy behind. It's it's.
Replaceable. He's a giver,
and that's he's he's one of those
people that has a lot to give and
wants to constantly be helping others.
Social media posts confirmed high
jump pioneer **** Fosbury passed away
peacefully in his sleep Sunday morning.
The larger than life legend,
who lived in Blaine County, just turned 76.
Ah, this wasn't even on the
radar that this was possible.
Friends say he was battling lymphoma
for the second time and was undergoing
treatment the past few months.
I was really devastated.
You know, my heart goes out to his wife,
Robin and his children.
Just just let him know that, you know,
we're thinking of them at this time.
And we knew it was a little bit of a
trying time these last couple of months,
but we were all, you know,
crossing our fingers that he
was going to make it through.
Fosbury is the 1968 Olympic gold medalist
who transformed the high jump event.
With his iconic back first
technique, the Fosbury Flop,
he was one of the most caring genuine
human beings that I've had the
privilege of being modest when you
met that you'd never have any idea
who was his legendary an athlete.
He just went down to Earth and
real and cared about people.
Good job fellow
Olympic gold medalist pole
vaulter Stacy Dragila another
build up, rock back, push, get
your eyes up, chest up, elbows back
now lives. And coaches in Boise
jumping through the hoops here.
When you jump off that foot,
Dylan, kick your bum.
She worked closely with Fosbury through
his work with the Simplot Games,
which he chaired for more than two decades.
He started bringing in a lot
of Olympians and just really
trying to tie this all together.
Fosberry coached and mentored
young track and field athletes in
Idaho. I've been able to do a lot of
camps with him during the summer as
well and just he just loves giving of
his time and his knowledge to all the
athletes to see him out there really
giving the wisdom to these younger kids.
I just, I'm really inspired by him.
He once served as president of the
World Olympians Association and the
US Olympics and Paralympics Alumni
Association until the day he died.
He also served on the Blaine County
Board of Commissioners alongside
another world class Athlete,
Paralympic gold medalist Muffy Davis.
Brilliant was brilliant and new details
and whether he would resource for us
on our board in terms of our land
use and planning and development.
I feel blessed that I had this past year to
work right next to him and learn from him.
I mean he was the chair, was a big
mentor and helped me in so many ways,
not just in my public service website in my.
It just reminds me to live life
to the fullest and you know,
don't look back, don't regret things,
but go out there and do what
you feel is right in your heart.
And to serve others and to
inspire others is, is really,
I think his legacy is to to get out
there and just be inspiration to others.
Fosbury got his degree in civil
engineering from Oregon State.
So not only was he an incredible athlete,
he was also very, very intelligent.
He worked for 25 years as the
city of Ketchum engineer.
I know Democratic Party chair
Lauren Necochea sent out a
statement about Fosbury's passing.
She said in part.
Quote, the legacy of **** Fosbury
extends far beyond the high jump.
A longtime civil rights
advocate and business leader,
he was a pillar of the Wood River
Valley as an Idaho Democrat.
He exemplified so many of our values.
Fairness, grit and innovative
action that's going to be missed.