bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

John Millen

There are four events on the Olympic programme that test an athlete's  throwing skills. These are part of the field section of the track and field events.
Throwing events  often take place at the same time as a track race as space and time are at a premium  during the Olympic Games.  It's  good value for money if you have buy a ticket for the track and field events when more than one competition is taking place in the stadium.
The javelin
A javelin is a spear-like object made from metal and fibreglass. In ancient Greece, it was made from metal and was used as a weapon in hunting.
A javelin thrower   sprints for about 30 metres to  gain momentum.  When he reaches the throwing line, he hurls his javelin into the air.
When the javelin lands, its tip must stick into the ground. If the javelin falls flat, the throw is disqualified. The distance of the throw is measured from the throwing line to the spot where the tip of the javelin marks the ground.
The world record for a men's javelin throw is 98.48 metres and 71.70 metres for a women's throw.
The discus
The discus throw is one of the events  that survives from the Ancient Olympics.
The object  is to throw the discus as far as possible within a 40-metre landing area.
The thrower stands in a circle of 2.5 metres in diameter. He spins around one and a half times to build up speed, then releases the discus.  He must not leave the circle until the discus has landed.
The judges measure the distance from the edge of the circle to where the discus  hits the ground.
The men's discuss throw has been included in the Olympic programme since 1896 and the women's event since 1928.
The discus is the only men's track and field event in which a world record has never been broken during the Olympics.
The hammer and the shot
The 'hammer' used for the hammer throw isn't a  tool.
It's an iron ball on the end of a metal chain which is thrown from inside a circle. And it's heavy - 7.26kg for men and 4kg for women.
The men's hammer throw was first included in the Olympics in 1900. But women throwers had to wait until Sydney 2000 before they could take part in the Olympic competition.
The shot is a heavy metal ball that is 'put', not thrown.
A shot putter holds the shot to his chest and then heaves it  as far as possible from the throwing circle.
Historically, putting the shot comes from the ancient Greek sport of throwing heavy stones.
My Olympic Fact File
Underline the word or phrase that you think is correct to complete these facts about Olympic throwing events. Then copy the sentences into your Olympic Fact File.
1 Men's hammer throw was first included in the Olympic programme at the (1900 Paris / 2000 Sydney) Olympic Games.
2 The women's javelin was introduced at the (1932 Los Angeles / 1896 Athens) Olympics.
3 The men's discus is (220mm / 550mm) in diameter.
4 The men's javelin weigh (0.8 kg / 8.0kg) and the women's (6.0kg / 0.6kg).
5 The women's shot weighs 3kg (more/less) than the men's.
6 The javelin is thrown from (a throwing circle / a throwing line).
7 In Ancient Greece, a javelin was used as a (decoration/weapon).
8 A top javelin thrower can throw a javelin at (70 miles an hour / 40 miles an hour).
Answers
1. 1900 Paris; 2. 1932 Los Angeles; 3. 220mm; 4. 0.8kg, 0.6kg; 5. less; 6. a throwing line; 7. weapon; 8. 70 miles an hour



The winning throw