My aim is to throw this metal tube as far as I can...

 

Ancient Olympic Games:

Two javelin events. Distance and accuracy.

The javelin was thrown with a thong. Spinning javelin.

 

Modern Olympic Games

1908 Olympics: Javelin began for men.

1932 Olympics: Javelin began for women.

 

Initially the rules changed continuously.

Two handed version. Thrown with each hand and two throws added together.

No run-up version.

No holding javelin at centre of gravity.

Javelins made of wood with a steel tip.

 

1986: IAAF announced modern javelin rules.

1991: Modifications using holes, rough paint or dimples), were forbidden.

Current IAAF rules:

Hollow metal javelin.

Nonorthodox techniques are not permitted. The javelin must be held at its grip and thrown overhand, over the athlete's shoulder or upper arm. The elbow must come through first. The tip of the javelin must hit the ground before any other part of the javelin. The point of impact must be inside the sector lines to be a valid throw.

The athlete is prohibited from turning completely around or starting with their back facing the direction of the throw.

The javelin is thrown towards a throwing sector that is centered on the center point of the throwing arc.  A throw is only legal if the tip of the javelin lands within this sector and first strikes the ground with its tip before any other part.

 

Tokyo Olympics

Men:                    87.58

Neeraj Chopra              India                             Gold

Jakub Vadleich             Czech Republic             Silver

Vitezslay Vesely           Czech Republic             Bronze

 

Women               66.34m

Liu Shiyina                    China                   Gold

Maria Andrejczyk         Poland                 Silver

Kelsey-Lee Barber        Australia              Bronze

 

World Record

Jan Zelezny                             Czech Republic            98m           1996

Barbora  Spotakova              Czech Republic            78m           2008

 

When Jeff Thompson, the famous fast bowler, was young he was a champion javelin thrower. He won NSW under age titles.

My aim when I throw the javelin is to imagine I am bowling a cricket ball.  Bowling I understand and are familiar with. 

I do a few practice throws. A lady, Nic, says: You have to throw the javelin. Not bowl it. Carry the javelin with a straight arm and throw it with a bent arm. Cary the javelin with your hand at eye level. Imagine you are throwing a cricket ball. Not bowling it.

I try and carry and throw as Nic says. I have trouble running and holding the javelin with a straight arm. Nic says okay carry the javelin with your hand at eye level with a bent arm and straighten your arm the last few steps before the throw.

I throw as Nic says. My conclusion. She knows what she is talking about. She is helping me throw the javelin further.

Nic is one of a group of people trying to throw a long piece of metal further. I love this group of people. I love the fact their aim is to throw a javelin as long as possible. You could say their aim is pointless or the javelin is pointless but I disagree.

They are all healthy. Physically, emotionally, socially and mentally. They all have time to stand around.  They all have time to waste.

They all throw completely differently. The throws vary considerably. From long to quite not as long. From a beautiful landing to flopping and skidding. From in the throwing sector to foul.

Also everybody has a different back story. Some have thrown the javelin forever. Some threw when younger, had a break and returned recently. Some are like me. My back story is at the age of 64 I decided to throw a long piece of metal as far as possible.

In the process I have learnt much about myself and encountered an amazing group of people all with the same aim. Of learning more about themselves by trying to improve their javelin PB.