For Those in a Hurry
– Javelin throwing is one of the oldest Olympic sports, dating back to 708 BC.
– It was originally a military skill and a hunting technique.
– The ancient Greeks used a leather strap called an amentum to increase the distance and accuracy of their throws.
– The modern javelin is made of metal and has a cord grip and a pointed tip.
– The current world records are 98.48 m for men and 72.28 m for women.
A Military Skill and a Hunting Technique
Javelin throwing is one of the oldest Olympic sports, dating back to 708 BC. But it was not invented for fun or glory. It was originally a military skill and a hunting technique. Ancient warriors and hunters used javelins to attack their enemies or prey from a distance. They also used them to defend themselves from charging animals or soldiers.
The Ancient Greek Javelin
The ancient Greeks were the first to include javelin throwing in their Olympic games. They used a leather strap called an amentum to attach the javelin to their fingers. This gave them more leverage and control over their throws. They also used different types of javelins for different purposes. Some were light and thin, designed for distance and accuracy. Others were heavy and thick, meant for penetration and damage.
The Modern Javelin
The modern javelin is made of metal and has a cord grip and a pointed tip. It is about 2.5 m long and weighs between 600 g and 800 g. The rules of javelin throwing have changed over time to ensure safety and fairness. For example, the javelin must land within a sector of 29 degrees, measured from the throwing arc. The thrower must also release the javelin before crossing a line marked on the ground.
The World Records
The current world records for javelin throwing are held by Jan Železný of the Czech Republic and Barbora Špotáková of the Czech Republic. Železný threw his javelin 98.48 m in 1996, breaking his own previous record of 95.66 m. Špotáková threw her javelin 72.28 m in 2008, breaking the previous record of 71.70 m held by Osleidys Menéndez of Cuba.
Javelin throwing is a fascinating sport that combines strength, speed, technique and skill. It is also a link to our ancient past, when throwing spears was a matter of survival.
