what is javelin

A javelin is a light spear designed primarily to be thrown, historically as a ranged weapon. Today, the javelin is predominantly used for sporting purposes such as the Javelin throw. It is a track and field event where the javelin, a spear about 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) in length, is thrown as far as possible. The javelin thrower gains momentum by running within a predetermined area. Javelin throwing is an event of both the mens decathlon and the womens heptathlon. The men’s javelin must weigh at least 800g and be 2.6m-2.7m long while the women’s javelin must weigh 600g and be 2.2m-2.3m long. Throwing the javelin as a sport evolved from the everyday use of the spear in hunting and warfare, and it has been part of the modern Olympic Games program since 1908 for men and 1932 for women. The javelin throw requires a combination of strength, power, timing, coordination, precision, and speed. The athlete must hold the javelin by its corded grip with his or her little finger closest to the tip of the implement. The javelin is nearly always thrown by hand, unlike other projectile-launching mechanisms such as the sling, bow, and crossbow. However, devices do exist to assist the javelin thrower in achieving greater distances, such as spear-throwers or the amentum. The word "javelin" comes from Middle English and it derives from Old French "javelin," a diminutive of "javelot," which meant spear. The word "javelot" probably originated from one of the Celtic languages. The javelin was likely also a hunting instrument, used for food and sport, in addition to its military purpose. In ancient Greece, the peltasts, usually serving as skirmishers, were armed with several javelins, often with throwing straps to increase stand-off power. Javelins were also used in the Ancient Olympics and other Panhellenic games, where they were hurled in a certain direction, and the farthest throw won. The javelin has a grip, about 150 mm (5.9 in) wide, made of cord and located at the javelins center of gravity. The javelin has undergone redesigns over the years to adjust its flight characteristics and prevent it from being thrown beyond the space available in normal stadiums. The Czech athlete Jan Zelezny is regarded as the finest male javelin thrower in history, having won a hat-trick of Olympic titles from 1992-2000 and set the world record of 98.48m in 1996. His compatriot Barbora Spotakova is among the leading female javelin throwers in history.