Dick Fosbury nasceu o 6 de março de 1947 em Portland, Oregon, EUA. Foi casado com Barbara Robins Tomasi, Karen Louise Spens e Janet Jarvis. Morreu o 12 de março de 2023 em Salt Lake City, Utah, EUA.
High jumper who revolutionized the field event when he leaped backwards over the bar to win the gold medal at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, setting a new record of 2.24 meters. His technique became known as the 'Fosbury Flop' and is used by high jumpers today.