Discus History

The discus is a Greek throwing event, which dates to the Ancient Olympics. The Greeks enjoyed the graceful nature of this throw, as it dealt with the natural curves that the body produced as the throw was done. Thus, when the discus was brought into the Modern Olympic Games in 1896, was not only judged by distance, but was also judge for form in the minds of the spectators and athletes. However, in these games the American team garnered bad press as these athletes threw for distance and not for the beauty of the event. With the Americans inscribing their ideas and values into the discus with the modern form, the other athletes were also interested in seeing how far the human body could throw the implement.

An interesting fact about the discus event is that the woman’s world record throw is further than that of the men’s world record throw. This is the only case in the throwing events that this has occurred. The women's world record is a full two meters further at 76.80-meters (251’11”) set by Gabriele Reinsch of the former East Germany in 1988, as the men’s world record of 74.08-meters (243’) set by Jürgen Schult in 1986 also of the former East Germany. The reason behind the differences in the world records is the lighter implement allows for the wind to alter the flight of the discus, and thus allow for a greater throw with the lighter implement. The last world record set by an American was thrown by Mac Wilkins in 1976 of 70.85-meters, however, Ben Plucknett currently holds the American Record set in 1981 with a throw if 72.34-meters or 237’4”. The women’s American Record was thrown by Valeria Allman on April 8, 2022 with a throw of 71.46m or 234'5.25".

Modern athletes are trying to throw the discus as far as possible and to do this, the correct progressions and practices need to take place. The athlete should concentrate on form, and develop the explosive power and kinesthetic awareness that will make the throw a success. The athlete will need to know where their body is in relation to the front of the circle, understand the correct orbit of the discus throughout the circle as well as understand the release and finish of the throw. In the next few paragraphs I hope to explain and discuss the rules, drills, and technique that will help you advance from the beginner thrower and coach to the novice competitor.