London: The javelin throw is a track and field athletics throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear approximately 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) in length. Javelin is an event of both the men’s decathlon and the women’s heptathlon. The javelin thrower gains momentum by running within a predetermined area.
The Javelin became part of the modern Olympic Games, in men’s competition at the 1908 London Games.
Women began competing in the Javelin at the 1932 Los Angeles Games.
Since its entrance into the games, the men’s competition has been dominated by the Scandinavian Countries of Sweden, Finland and Norway. Out of 23 Olympics, they have won a total of 13 Gold Medals (Finland 7, Sweden 3 and Norway 3).
The United States Men have only medaled 5 times (Gold 1 Silver 2 Bronze 2) since 1908.
The first ever gold medalist was Eric Lemming of Sweden with a throw of 54.83 meters (179.88 feet) in 1908.
The longest throw ever in Olympic history came in 1976, by Mikls Nmeth, of Hungary, going the incredible distance of 94.58 meters (310.3 feet).
As stated above, in 1932 Babe Didrikson won the inaugural women’s gold with a throw of 43.68 meters.
In 1984, Tessa Sanderson of Great Britain through the Javelin 69.56 meters (228.2 feet).
In 1988, all Olympic Records were retired for the Javelin and new ones initiated.
In 1986, the Javelin was redesign to allow it stick into the ground better. This was done because of complaints and protests of throw being judged not good because of the spear not sticking.
The redesign reduced the flight capability by 10%.
Since the 1988 Games, the men’s Olympic Record is held by Andreas Thorkildsen, of Norway, with his 2008 throw of 90.57 meters (297.1 feet).
The women’s is held by Petra Felke, Germany Democratic Republic (East Germany) with her 1988 throw of 74.68 meters (245 feet).
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