Short answers, pulled from the story.
The first recorded high jump event took place in Scotland in the 19th century. This event marked the beginning of a sport that evolved from a simple test of vertical ability into a complex dance of physics and technique.
The Irish-American Michael Sweeney developed the Eastern cut-off technique around the turn of the 20th century. He raised the world record to 1.97 meters in 1895 by extending his spine and flattening out over the bar.
The Fosbury Flop technique became dominant after Dick Fosbury won the gold medal of the 1968 Mexico Olympics. All other techniques were almost extinct in serious high jump competitions after the late 1980s.
Javier Sotomayor of Cuba holds the men's world record with a jump of 2.45 meters. He set this record on the 27th of July 1993 in Salamanca.
Yaroslava Mahuchikh of Ukraine is the women's world record holder with a jump of 2.10 meters. She set this record on the 7th of July 2024 in Paris.
Rosemarie Ackermann of East Germany won the gold medal of the 1976 Montreal Olympics, which was the last time for a straddle jumper to win an Olympic medal. She was the first female jumper ever to clear 1.90 meters.