An Illustrated History of Javelin

By Mike Rosenbaum, About.com Guide

Javelin specifications were changed in recent decades for safety reasons when top throwers approached the 100-meter mark. Great Britain's Steve Backley (right, above) holds a "rough-tailed" javelin designed by 1976 Olympic gold medalist Miklos Nemeth of Hungary (left). Backley set a world record with Nemeth's javelin in 1990, but the record was rescinded when the rough-tailed model was banned the following year. Backley went on to win two Olympic silver medals and one bronze.

Previous

• The early days of Javelin throwing
• Women enter Olympic competition
• Changing configurations
• The Great One
• Women's world record
• Where javelin is now

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