How Fast Is High Jump Take-off?

A high-jumper's lift-off speed is around 4.5 m/s vertical. The 2.45 m record needed substantial horizontal speed too — and the famous Fosbury Flop, which Dick Fosbury introduced in 1968 and revolutionised the sport overnight.

The Fosbury Flop was so revolutionary in 1968 that it instantly made every prior high-jump technique obsolete.

• Nearly 4× faster than walking
• Fosbury Flop changed the sport in 1968