Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The javelin throw is a track and field event where athletes throw a spear-like implement, known as a javelin, as far as possible. The event dates back to the Ancient Olympic Games in 708 BC and features in Norse mythology, notably Odin's javelin, Gungnir. Initially, the javelin throw included both distance and accuracy-based formats. The men's event debuted in the modern Olympics in 1908, and the women's event in 1932.
Javelin specifications differ by gender. Men's javelins must be at least 260 cm long and weigh 800 grams, while women's javelins are at least 220 cm long and weigh 600 grams. To enhance safety and fairness, the javelin was redesigned twice: for men in 1986 and for women in 1999. These changes influenced flight characteristics and the progression of records.
World records in the javelin throw are notable. The current men's world record is 98.48 meters, set by Czech athlete Jan Zelezny in 1996. Before the 1986 redesign, Uwe Hohn achieved a throw of 104.80 meters in 1984, a mark unlikely to be surpassed under current specifications. The women's world record is held by Czech athlete Barbora Spotakova, with a throw of 72.28 meters since 2008.
Reaching championship-level distances in javelin throw requires a combination of upper-body strength, power, timing, and coordination. Strength training is essential to meet the physical demands of the event.