Speerwerfen

Speerwerfen, or javelin throw, is a track and field event in which competitors throw a spear‑like implement, the javelin, as far as possible. The distance is measured from the throwing arc to the point where the javelin first touches the ground within a designated throwing sector. The event is part of major athletics competitions including the Olympic Games and the World Championships.

Equipment and rules: The men's javelin typically weighs 800 grams and is about 2.6 to 2.7 meters long; the women's javelin typically weighs 600 grams and is about 2.2 to 2.3 meters long. The javelin must land tip first and within a 29-degree throwing sector. Throws must be completed from a runway; the athlete must not commit a foul by stepping over the line or leaving the runway before the implement lands. Distances are recorded to the nearest centimeter; the best valid throw in a series determines the result.

Technique: Competitors perform a grip, run-up, and a release with an angular throw. Successful throws rely on speed, angle of release (often around 30 to 36 degrees), and the javelin’s aerodynamics. Training emphasizes core strength, shoulder stability, timing, and the ability to cope with wind conditions and surface variations.

History: Javelin throwing has ancient roots in various cultures, including ancient Greece. The modern sport developed in the 19th and early 20th centuries in Europe, with standardized rules by the IAAF (now World Athletics). The men’s event debuted at the Olympic Games in 1908; the women’s event followed in 1932.

Records: The men’s world record is 98.48 meters, set by Jan Železný in 1996. The women’s world record is 72.28 meters, set by Barbora Špotáková in 2008.