thumb|250px|Scottish hammer throw illustration from Frank R. Stockton's book "Round-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and Fancy"
thumb|250px|The contemporary version of the hammer throw
The hammer throw is one of the four throwing events in regular track and field competitions, along with the discus throw, shot put and javelin.
The "hammer" used in this sport is not like any of the tools also called by that name.
It consists of a metal ball attached by a steel wire to a grip.
The size of the ball varies between men's and women's competitions.
thumb|right|Safety net for hammer throw History
With roots dating back to the 15th century, the contemporary version of the hammer throw is one of the oldest of Olympic Games competitions, first included at the 1900 games in Paris, France (the second Olympiad of the modern era).
Its history since the late 1960s and legacy prior to inclusion in the Olympics has been dominated by Europe and Eastern European influence, which has affected interest in the event in other parts of the world.
The hammer evolved from its early informal origins to become part of the Scottish Highland games in the late 18th century, where the original version of the event is still contested today.
While the men's hammer throw has been part of the Olympics since 1900, the International Association of Athletics Federations did not start ratifying women's marks until 1995.
Women's hammer throw was first included in the Olympics at the 2000 summer games in Sydney, Australia after having been included in the World Championships a year earlier.
Competition
The men's hammer weighs  and measures  in length, and the women's hammer weighs  and  in length.
Like the other throwing events, the competition is decided by who can throw the implement the farthest.
Although commonly thought of as a strength event, technical advancements in the last 30 years have developed hammer throw competition to a point where more focus is on speed in order to gain maximum distance.
The throwing motion involves about two swings from a stationary position to generate the initial momentum.
Then the hammer is swung around three, four or very rarely five rotations of the body in a circular motion using a complicated heel-toe movement of the foot.
The ball moves in a circular path, gradually increasing in angular velocity with each rotation with the high point of the hammer ball toward the target sector and the low point at the back of the circle.
The thrower releases the ball at the side of the circle as the hammer's velocity tends upward and toward the target.
During the launch process, the thrower is given a circular area to perform the throw.
The athlete is not allowed to step outside the circle before the object has landed.
Before and after the throw, the thrower may only enter and exit from the rear of the launch circle.
Finally, the hammer must land within a 35 degree sector.
A violation of the rules results in a foul, where the throw is not counted.
the men's hammer world record is held by Yuriy Sedykh, who threw  at the 1986 European Athletics Championships in Stuttgart, West Germany on 30 August.
The world record for the women's hammer is held by Anita Włodarczyk, who threw  during the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial on 28 August 2016.
All-time top 25
Men
Updated June 2021
Notes
Below is a list of all other throws equal or superior to 86.50 m:
Yuriy Sedykh 86.66 (1986).
Sedykh also threw 86.68 and 86.62 ancillary marks during world record competition.
Non-legal marks
Ivan Tsikhan of Belarus also threw 86.73 on 3 July 2005 in Brest, but this performance was annulled due to drugs disqualification.
Women
Correct as of June 2021.
Notes
Below is a list of all other performances (excluding ancillary throws) equal or superior to 78.00 m:
Anita Włodarczyk also threw 82.87 (2017), 82.29 (2016), 81.08 (2015), 80.85 (2015), 80.79 (2017), 80.26 (2016), 79.80 (2017), 79.73 (2017), 79.72 (2017), 79.61 (2016), 79.59 (2018), 79.58 (2016), 79.48 (2016), 79.45 (2016), 78.94 (2018), 78.76 (2014), 78.74 (2018), 78.54 (2016), 78.48 (2021), 78.46 (2013), 78.30 (2010), 78.28 (2015), 78.24 (2015), 78.22 (2013), 78.17 (2014), 78.16 (2015), 78.14 (2016), 78.10 (2016) and 78.00 (2017).
DeAnna Price also threw 79.98 (2021), 78.60 (2021), 78.51 (2021), 78.24 (2019), 78.16 (2021), 78.12 (2018).
Betty Heidler also threw 78.07 (2012) and 78.00 (2014).
Non-legal marks
The following athletes had their performances (over 77.00 m) annulled due to doping offences:
Tatyana Lysenko (Russia) 78.80 (2013) and 78.15 (2013).
Aksana Miankova (Belarus) 78.69 and 78.19 (both 2012).
Gulfiya Agafonova (Russia) 77.36 (2007).
Olympic medalists
Men
Women
World Championships medalists
Men
Women
Season's bests
Men
Women
See also
List of hammer throwers
Notes and references
External links
IAAF list of hammer-throw records in XML
HammerThrow.eu (Results, Top-Lists, Records, Videos, ...)
HammerThrow.org (Information about the event, coaching tips and resources, ...)
Statistics
Hammer Throw Records
Hammer Throw History
