When did shot put become an Olympic event?
Shot put has been part of the modern Summer Olympic Games since their inception in 1896 for men. Women's Olympic shot put competition began in 1948.
Questions about Shot put
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the current men's outdoor world record in shot put?
Ryan Crouser of the United States holds the men's outdoor world record, set on the 27th of May 2023 in Los Angeles with a throw of 23.56 metres. He also holds the indoor world record, set on the 24th of January 2021 in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
What is the women's outdoor world record in shot put and who holds it?
Natalya Lisovskaya holds the women's outdoor world record, set on the 7th of June 1987 in Moscow. The indoor women's record belongs to Helena Fibingova, set on the 19th of February 1977 in Jablonec.
What is the difference between the glide and spin technique in shot put?
The glide, invented by Parry O'Brien in 1951, is a linear movement in which the athlete faces backward and rotates 180 degrees across the circle before releasing the shot. The spin, developed by coach Viktor Alexeyev and first used by Aleksandr Baryshnikov to set a USSR record in 1972, mimics discus throwing by rotating a full turn to build rotational momentum.
How heavy is the shot put ball in competition?
In open competitions, the men's shot weighs 7.26 kilograms and the women's shot weighs 4 kilograms. Junior, school, and masters competitions typically use lighter weights.
What are the origins of shot put and how did the event develop historically?
The earliest documented weight-throwing contests come from the Scottish Highlands, dating to approximately the first century. The modern shot put most likely descended from Medieval soldiers hurling cannonballs in competition. Formal shot put competitions were first recorded in early 19th century Scotland, and the event was included in the British Amateur Championships beginning in 1866.