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Long Jump
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NSIC
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Aim and Method:
to sprint along a runway and leap forward as far as possible into a sand pit.
Distance is measured from the front edge of the take-off board to the closest mark in the sand made by the jumper.
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Equipment:
At the ancient Games, jumpers held dumb-bell shaped lead or stone weights called halteres to increase their momentum and jump further. These are not allowed in the modern Olympics.
In the past. measuring tapes were used, but today Electronic Distance Measurements (EDMs) use an infra-red beam at the take-off board and a reflector at the athleteÂ’s landing point to more accurately measure the distance jumped. Judges look at plasticine imprints to check if the jumper has over-stepped the take-off.
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Triple Jump
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NSIC
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Aim and Method:
to sprint along a runway and using a hop, a step and a jump, propel oneself forward into a sand pit. The athlete first uses the hop (taking off and landing on the same foot) then the step (taking off and landing on different feet) then the jump, landing on both feet.
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Equipment:
Distances are measured as for the long jump.
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Shot Put
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NSIC
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Aim and Method:
using one hand and gliding across the circle, the athlete propels the shot through the air for the maximum distance.
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Equipment:
Athletes originally threw a rock. This was replaced by an iron ball called a shot. Men put or push (do not throw) a 7.26 kg shot and women use a shot of 4.00 kg. The shot is made of solid iron, brass, stainless steel or any metal harder than brass. It can also be made of a shell of these metals filled with lead or other material.
The shot must be sized within certain diameter limits. A lathe is used to machine finish it to be smooth and spherical.
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Discus
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NSIC
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Aim and method:
with upper body spinning, to project the discus as far as possible.
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Equipment:
In the ancient Olympics, the discus was made of stone, iron, bronze or lead and was shaped like a flying saucer. Sizes varied, as younger boys were not expected to throw the same weight as the men.
Today, the discus may be solid or hollow and is generally made of wood, with a stainless steel circular rim. There can be circular plates set flush into the centre of the sides made of carbon-reinforced fibreglass.
It is made to set specifications of shape, and weighs 2.0 kg for men and 1.0 kg for women.
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Hammer Throw
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NSIC
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Aim and method:
to hurl a ‘hammer’ (a heavy ball attached via a length of wire to a metal handle) as far as possible.
Athletes compete by gripping the handle with both hands and keeping their feet still, whirling the ball around in circles above their head. They then spin their body around three times to give even greater speed to the ball and release it upward and outward.
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Equipment:
The head (ball) can be made of solid iron, brass or any metal harder than brass. It can also be made from a shell of these metals and filled with lead or other material. It is smooth and round and with a minimum diameter of 110mm for men and 95mm for women.
The steel wire attaching the head to the metal handle can be from 1.175 to 1.215 m in length. The wire must not be able to be stretched.
It weighs at least 7.26 kg for men and 4 kg for women (the same as the shotput).
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Javelin
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NSIC
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Aim and method:
Unlike other throwing events, the athlete is allowed to sprint 30m to a throwing line before hurling the javelin.
The tip of the metal head must hit the ground first for the throw to be valid.
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Equipment:
Early javelins were spears made of wood, with a sharpened end or an attached metal point. They often broke.
In the 1950s, a streamlined aluminium javelin was designed, enabling greater distances to be thrown. By the early 1980s, the aerodynamics had improved and the centre of gravity had to be modified to reduce distance!
Javelins have three parts: a head, a shaft and a cord grip at the javelinsÂ’ centre of gravity. (Place a ruler across your finger and where it balances is its centre of gravity. The shaft is smooth and often made of metal. The head is usually steel and tapers to a sharp point. The javelin must weigh at least 800 grams for men and 600g for women, and be 260 cm long for men and 220 cm for women. It must also be of specified width at certain points along its length.
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For all throwing events, instead of a time-consuming and inaccurate tape measure, an Electronic Distance Measurement EDM) measures the distance from the throwing point to the impact point (of the javelin, for example) using an infra-red beam and reflector respectively.
It calculates the distance travelled using angle measurements, is accurate to within 1 mm, and the result is ready within about 10 seconds.
In shot put, discus and hammer throw, the object must be thrown from within a circle with a diameter of 2.5m for discus and 2.135m for shot put and hammer throw. The ring of the circle is iron, steel or other suitable material and set flush with the ground with concrete or another material filling the centre.
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NSIC
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In discus and hammer throw, this circle is partly surrounded by a cage for the safety of officials, competitors and spectators. The netting of this enclosure can be made of natural or synthetic fibre cord, or steel wire, provided it can stop a 2 kg discus moving at speeds up to 25 metres/sec, or a 7.26 kg hammer head moving at speeds up to 32 metres/sec, and prevent ricocheting.
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DID YOU KNOW?
After an incredible throw of 104.80 metres (just prior to the 1984 Los Angeles Games), a distance that threatened to endanger spectators and anyone on the surrounding 400m running track, a new style of javelin was introduced that year.
Its centre of gravity was moved back 10 cm – this different weight distribution stopped it from ‘floatingÂ’ and therefore shortened flight time and distance. It also made the javelin more prone to stick in the ground.
Distances thrown reduced to below 90m.
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