Page 24 - Southern Oregon Magazine Fall 2018

ANNIVERSARY

FOSBURY FLOP

50 YEARS AGO,
MEDFORD’S DICK FOSBURY BECAME A WORLDWIDE FLOP
The museum strives to enrich lives by offering art
experiences that stimulate the senses, intrigue the
intellect and bring joy to the spirit. s twilight fell on Estadio Olímpico in Mexico City, an enthusiastic
Acrowd of 80,000 grew increasing vocal during the1968 Olympic
Art Exhibits | Music | Poetry | Classes men’s high jump final. Spectators were especially transfixed on a gan-
gly, American jumper named Dick Fosbury, and his unconventional,
back-to-the-bar technique. Spurred by a rousing chorus of Ole! with
each successful jump, the Oregon State engineering student established
a new Olympic record en route to a gold medal — and completely
revolutionized the event with his eponymous “Fosbury Flop.”

Not bad for a kid from Medford, who once struggled to make his high
school team. Like most boys growing up in Southern Oregon, Fosbury
enjoyed the outdoors and playing sports year round. By his sophomore
year in high school (then Medford HS), he had sprouted to 6’4” and
hoped his size would allow him to compete in basketball and football.
MANY MASTERPIECES It didn’t. Instead, he shifted his focus to the high jump, but again only
found frustration. However, at a meet in Grants Pass in 1963, he began
ONE ROOF experimenting with a new style that would eventually make history
and change his life forever.

In a recent interview, Fosbury described the build up to his Olympic
triumph. “It was a gradual process. It was never my ambition to win a
gold medal. I wanted to compete against the best and I just didn’t want
to lose.”

Today, Fosbury remains busy as ever. He serves as President of the
United States Olympians Association, conducts track camps, and
just released a new book, The Wizard of Foz, by Bob Welch (speaker,
author, columnist, adjunct professor from Eugene).
LOCAL ART BY LOCAL ARTISTS
Our walls and showcases are
filled with original
one-of-a-kind art pieces.
Jewelry | Pottery | Sculpture

Watercolor | Acrylic | Oil
Photography | Greeting cards

Grants Pass Gallery One
Museum of Art at the Museum
541-479-3290 541-479-1218
(Upstairs) (Downstairs)
229 SW G Street | Grants Pass, OR 97526
www.GPMuseum.com

22 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | fall 2018