The high jump is a track and field event where athletes aim to jump over a horizontal bar set at various heights. The current world record for men is held by Javier Sotomayor, who cleared a height of 2.45 meters (8 feet 0.45 inches) in 1992. For women, the record is 2.09 meters (6 feet 10.25 inches), set by Stefka Kostadinova in 1987. High jump records are often broken during major competitions, such as the Olympics and World Championships. Athletes use various techniques, including the Fosbury Flop, to achieve their best jumps. Records are officially recognized by World Athletics, the governing body for the sport.