Discthrowing

Discthrowing, often written as discus throwing, is a track‑and‑field event in which an athlete hurls a heavy, flat disc (the discus) for the greatest possible distance. The modern event is governed by World Athletics and appears in the Olympic Games, World Championships, and numerous national and regional competitions.

The sport has ancient roots; the discus was one of the five events in the pentathlon of the ancient Greek Olympic Games. Modern discus throwing began in the late 19th century, standardized by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (now World Athletics). Competitors use a metal or wood disc that weighs 2 kg for men and 1 kg for women, attached to a circular throwing area with a 2.5‑m‑diameter ring. The disc must land within a 34.92° sector marked on the ground; distances are measured to the nearest centimetre.

Technique involves a series of coordinated movements: a full-body spin to generate angular momentum, a controlled release from the rim, and a balanced follow‑through. Training emphasizes core strength, lower‑body power, and precise timing of the release angle, typically around 35–40 degrees for optimal flight. Successful throws often exceed 60 m for elite men and 70 m for top women.

Rules limit each athlete to a set number of attempts (usually six), with the longest valid throw counting toward the final result. Safety measures include protective nets and a minimum safety zone behind the throwing area to prevent injury to officials and spectators. Notable athletes in the event include Al Oerter, Wolfgang Schmidt, and more recent record holders such as the German thrower Jürgen Schult. While disc throwing differs from disc‑based sports such as Ultimate Frisbee or disc golf, it shares the fundamental concept of propelling a disc through the air.