Athletics - Hammer Throw

Hammer throwing is a field and track event originating in ancient Celtic practices, which consists of throwing a steel ball weighing 7.257 kg for men and 4 kg for women, as far as possible. The ball is attached to a steel cable connected to a grip, measuring 1,195 mm in total for women and 1,215 mm for men. In addition to length and weight, the size of the ball and the shape of the grip are regulated. While hammer throwing has been part of the men's Olympic Games since 1900, the IAAF has only made it an official sport for women since 1995. The women's hammer throw was first held at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. The principle is for the competitor to throw the hammer as far as possible without leaving a throwing circle with a diameter of 2.135 m (7 feet) also called a plate. To this end, the competitor first makes his hammer gain speed by rotating it 2 to 3 times around his or her head in a stationary position, before accelerating it continuously by turning 3 to 4 times on him or herself while remaining within the circle.