Throwing the javelin constituted part of the ancient Olympic Games. The fundamental difference between the ancient and modern javelin is that the athletes of ancient Greece Throwing the javelin constituted part of the ancient Olympic Games. The fundamental difference between the ancient and modern javelin is that the athletes of ancient Greece attached a thong to the shaft to form a loop, into which they inserted their index and second fingers to provide a stronger throwing grip.

A modern men’s javelin must weigh a minimum of 800 grams and measure between 2.60 metres and 2.70 metres. A women’s javelin must weigh a minimum of 600 grams and measure between 2.20 and 2.30 metres.

A javelin throw is valid only if the tip of the metal head strikes the ground before any other part of the javelin.

If the javelin breaks during a throw or while in the air, it does not count as a failed throw.

Javelin was first included at the modern Olympics in London in 1908, when Eric Lemming, a Swedish policeman, won the gold medal. He retained his title in Stockholm four years later. His winning throws were, respectively, 53.90 metres and 54.82 metres.

Finland have won the men’s Olympic javelin title on seven occasions - more times than any other country.

Dana Zatopkova of Czechoslovakia won the women’s javelin gold medal at the 1952 Olympics on the very same day that her husband, the great Emil Zatopek, won the men’s 5,000m Olympic title. They were also born on exactly the same day - 19 September 1922.

Great Britain have won seven Olympic javelin medals, with the only gold being won by Tessa Sanderson in 1984. Of the other six medals, Steve Backley claimed three (bronze in 1992 and silver in both 1996 and 2000), Fatima Whitbread two (bronze in 1984 and silver in 1988) and David Ottley one (silver in 1984).

The men’s javelin was modified in 1986, and the women’s in 1999, to lessen the increasingly long distances that were being thrown. Prior to the changes taking effect, the men’s and women’s world records were, respectively, 104.80 metres and 80.00 metres.

The post-modification world record is held by three-time Olympic champion Jan Zelezny, of the Czech Republic, who threw 98.48 metres in 1996. The women’s world record is held by Osleidys Menendez, of Cuba, who threw 71.70 metres in 2005.

The current British men’s record is held by Backley, who threw 91.46 metres in 1992. The British women’s record of 65.75 metres was set by Be Number 1’s Goldie Sayers at the 2008 Olympic Games, where she finished fourth and thereby missed out on a medal position by just 38cm.