javelin throw

javelin throw
Track-and-field sport of throwing a wooden or metal spear for distance.

It is hurled after a short run and must land point-first. The men's javelin is 8.5 ft (260 cm) long, the women's 7.2 ft (220 cm). Included in the ancient Greek Olympic Games as part of the pentathlon, the javelin throw has been part of the modern Olympic program since its inception in 1896. A women's event was added in 1932. See also decathlon; heptathlon.

* * *

 athletics (track-and-field) sport of throwing a spear for distance, included in the ancient Greek Olympic Games as one of five events of the pentathlon competition.

  The javelin that is used in modern international men's competition is a spear of wood or metal with a sharp metal point. It is constructed in accordance with a detailed set of specifications published by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Its overall length must be at least 260 cm (102.4 inches) and its weight at least 800 grams (1.8 pounds). The women's javelin is somewhat shorter and lighter—a minimum 220 cm (86.6 inches) long and 600 grams (1.3 pounds) in weight.

      After a short run, the javelin is thrown directly forward with an over-the-shoulder motion into a 29° sector marked on the field. It must land point first. The thrower's body may not rotate a full turn (360°) before the javelin is released, and he may not step on or beyond a line at the end of the runway.

      Scandinavian athletes dominated the first 50 years of men's javelin competition. Sweden conducted the first national championship in the event in 1896, and Swedish and Finnish athletes held most world records until 1953. The javelin throw has been an Olympic event since 1908; a women's javelin event was added to the Olympic program in 1932.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Javelin throw — Bregje Crolla during Europacup 2007 …   Wikipedia

  • javelin throw — /ˈdʒævələn θroʊ/ (say javuhluhn throh) noun Athletics an event in field games in which competitors try to throw the javelin the greatest distance. –javelin thrower, noun …  

  • javelin throw — noun An athletic throwing event where the object to be thrown is the javelin, a spear like object made of metal, fiberglass and, in some cases, carbon fiber …   Wiktionary

  • javelin throw — noun see javelin I, 3b …   Useful english dictionary

  • 1987 World Championships in Athletics - Women's javelin throw — NOTOC These are the official results of the Women s Javelin Throw event at the 1987 World Championships in Rome, Italy. There were a total number of 31 participating athletes, with the final held on Sunday 1987 09 06. All results were made with a …   Wikipedia

  • Athletics at the 1996 Summer Olympics - Men's javelin throw — These are the official results of the men s javelin throw at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. There were a total number of 34 competitors, with twelve of them who qualified for the final.MedalistsNon qualifiersee also* 1992 Men s… …   Wikipedia

  • 1994 European Championships in Athletics - Men's javelin throw — These are the official results of the Men s Javelin Throw event at the 1994 European Championships in Helsinki, Finland. There were a total number of 26 participating athletes. The final was held on 1994 08 08.Finalee also* 1990 Men s European… …   Wikipedia

  • Athletics at the 2000 Summer Olympics - Men's javelin throw — These are the official results of the men s javelin throw event at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia. There were a total number of 32 participating athletes. MedalistsQualification*Held on Friday 2000 09 22 ee also* 1996 Men s Olympic …   Wikipedia

  • 1995 World Championships in Athletics - Men's javelin throw — NOTOC These are the official results of the Men s Javelin Throw event at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. There were a total number of 37 participating athletes, with the final held on Sunday 1995 08 13.FinalQualification* Held …   Wikipedia

  • 1997 World Championships in Athletics - Men's javelin throw — NOTOC These are the official results of the Men s Javelin Throw event at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, Greece. There were a total number of 40 participating athletes, with the final held on Tuesday 1997 08 05.FinalQualification* Held on …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”