Javelin

I find the javelin to be a great sport to watch. I'm not very good myself but don't mind watching good javelin throwing. There is a definite art to throwing a javelin properly. Done well it can really fly. Done badly and you could end up spearing someone or worse.

The rules for Javelin are similar to other throwing events: Each competitor takes three throws after which the top eight take another three, their best legal throw is recorded and the winner is the individual with the longest legal throw measured to the nearest centimetre or foot and inch depending on country of competition. If the javelin's point touches the ground first, the throw is marked (measured) from this point. However, if the throw lands flat on the ground, the throw is marked as a foul throw. The most noticeable difference with the other events is that rather than a throwing circle as used in discus, shot put and hammer throw, the competitors have a run-up area coated with the same surface used for running tracks, and a painted line on the surface for small spikes on each shoe. Many athletic tracks have javelin run-ups at each end to take advantage of any potential wind benefit.

Javelin throwers gain considerable forward velocity in their run-up to their throws, and as well as upper body strength demonstrate athleticism more similar to running and jumping events. Thus, the athletes share more physical characteristics with sprinters than other throwing athletes with their bulky frames. At release, a javelin can reach speeds approaching 113 km/h (70 mph).

The world record for men, at 98.48 meters (323 feet), is held by Jan Železný from the Czech Republic, set at Jena, Germany, on 25 May 1996. The world record for women, at 71.7 meters (235 feet), is held by Osleidys Menéndez from Cuba, set at Helsinki, Finland on 4 August 2005. For older model of javelin record is held by Uwe Hohn from East Germany at 104.8 meters (344 feet) on 20 July 1984, for men and by Petra Felke from East Germany at 80 meters (262 feet) on September 9, 1988.