Description

The discus throw is an athletics (track and field) throwing event. The discus, the object to be thrown, is a lens-shaped heavy disc with a diameter of 220 mm and a weight of two kilograms (4 lb 7 oz) for the men's event, and one kg (2 lb 3 oz) for the women's, with a smaller diameter of 182 mm. In U.S. high school track and field, boys typically throw a discus weighing 1.616 kg (3 lb 9 oz) and the girls throw the 1 kg women's disc. The discus usually has sides made of plastic, wood, or metal, with a metal rim and a metal core to attain the weight. Discuses with more weight in the rim produce greater angular momentum for any given spin rate, and thus more stability, although they are more difficult to throw. A practice discus made of solid rubber is often used in high school; it is cheaper and more durable.

To make a throw, the competitor starts in a slightly recessed concrete-surfaced circle of 2.5 metres (8 feet 21⁄2 inches) diameter. They typically wind up while facing away from the direction of the throw. The thrower then spins around one and a half times through the circle to build momentum. The discus must land within a 40-degree or 60-degree arc marked by lines on the landing zone, and the competitor must not exit the circle until the discus has landed, and must then only exit through the rear half of the circle. The distance from the front edge of the circle to where the discus has landed is measured, and distances are rounded down to the nearest centimeter or half-inch. The competitor's best throw from the allocated number of throws, typically between three and eight, is recorded, and the competitor who legally throws the discus the furthest is declared the winner. Ties are broken by determining which thrower has the longer second-best throw.

Greats: Virgilijus Alekna

Cool Gear

Virginijus Alekna ia a famous Lithuanian athlete. He won two gold medals in the Summer Olympics. Both were in the discus throw. The first was in the 2000 games, and the second in the 2004 games. He was born on February 13, 1972 in Terpeikiai, Kupis¹kis, Lithuania.

Mizuno Men's Shot & Discus

The Mizuno Shot & Discus throwing shoe has a synthetic upper with a fit strap that provides enhanced support through a better fit. Hard texturized rubber outsole with contoured edges for the spin or glide technique. Wt. 11.8 oz

New Balance Track and Field Shoe - GLD750F

Ultimate event-specific competition shoe for the performance athlete who competes in the shotput and discus.
Performance Features: ABZORB in Heel and Forefoot, Memory Foam around ankle, I.S.S. Internal Support System, Ndurance Outsole, Single Density Polyurethane Midsole/Outsole, Synthetic/Mesh Upper.

2004 Summer Olympics were marked by a scandal when Hungarian athlete Robert Fazekas was stripped of his gold medal on the Men's discus event, after being caught tampering with his urine sample and refusing to release it during his post-event doping exam. The gold medal was then awarded to Virgilijus Alekna. Although Fazekas set an Olympic Record, this was also erased from all record, and consecutively, that Olympic Record was awarded to Alekna (who had still beaten the old Olympic Record).

Alekna was awarded the title of Athlete of the Year for 2000 by Track and Field News. He was also awarded Gediminas order by Lithuania government. Since 1995 has served as a body guard of the Lithuanian president.

Greats: Beatrice Faumuina

Beatrice Roini Liua Faumuina ONZM (born October 23, 1974 in Auckland) is a New Zealand discus thrower, a gold medallist at the 1997 World Championships in Athletics. She attended three Summer Olympics for her native country: 1996, 2000 and 2004.

Most recently attended the 2004 Summer Olympics and placed 7th in the discus with a throw of 64.45 metres. Early in her career, Beatrice was coached by New Zealand sport celebrity Les Mills.

Beatrice Faumuina is the current world record holder with a throw of 70.74m in Neubrandenburg, July 9, 2003.

Links

» Jürgen Schult - world record holder bio.
» Ilke Wyludda - bio.

Mizuno Men's Legend Sleeveless Tee

Perfect training tee keeping the runner cool and comfortable. Ultra-light 100% Arctic Touch(TM) soft touch polyester mesh absorbs and releases moisture quickly. Four-needle flat-lock stitching, anti-abrasion labeling, UV protection. Reflective logo and accents on front and back. Imported.

Where to get it:
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods

Mizuno Women's Tokyo Singlet

The Mizuno Tokyo Singlet gives where necessary for comfortable running. Extra lightweight 100% DRYSCIENCE® polyester mesh provides enhanced breathability with superior moisture absorption. Four-needle flatlock construction for less friction. Anti-abrasion labeling. Imported.

Where to get it:
» Footlocker
» Eastbay
» Ernst Sporting Goods
» Dick's Sporting Goods

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