THE COMPETITION
The shot is put with one hand only. The shot must touch or be in close proximity to the competitor’s neck or chin as the attempt begins. The shot cannot drop below that position during the action of putting.
EQUIPMENT AND VENUE
The men’s shot is a 7.26-kilogram ball of iron or brass. The diameter is between 110-130 millimeters. The women’s shot weighs 4 kilograms with a diameter of 95-110 millimeters.
The shot put circle is 2.135 meters in diameter with a wooden stop board 10 centimeters high on the outside. Competitors may touch the stop board during the attempt.
GOLD, SILVER, AND BRONZE
Athletes in the shot put must achieve an Olympic qualifying distance and must qualify for their nation’s Olympic team. A maximum of three competitors per country may compete in the shot put.
A qualifying round reduces the Olympic shot put competitors to 12 for the final. As in all throwing events, the 12 finalists have three attempts apiece, then the top eight competitors receive three more attempts. The longest single put during the final wins.
Read more about Olympic Shot Put Rules and Scoring.Back to Olympic Shot Put main page
