Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's discus throw
The men's discus throw was one of six throwing events on the Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics programme in London. The competition was held on July 16, 1908. 42 throwers from eleven nations competed.[1] NOCs could enter up to 12 athletes.[2]
Men's discus throw at the Games of the IV Olympiad | |||||||||||||
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The winner Martin Sheridan | |||||||||||||
Venue | White City Stadium | ||||||||||||
Date | July 16 | ||||||||||||
Competitors | 42 from 11 nations | ||||||||||||
Medalists | |||||||||||||
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Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics | |
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Track events | |
100 m | men |
200 m | men |
400 m | men |
800 m | men |
1500 m | men |
5 miles | men |
110 m hurdles | men |
400 m hurdles | men |
3200 m steeplechase | men |
Medley relay | men |
3 mile team race | men |
Road events | |
Marathon | men |
3500 m walk | men |
10 mile walk | men |
Field events | |
Long jump | men |
Triple jump | men |
High jump | men |
Pole vault | men |
Standing long jump | men |
Standing high jump | men |
Shot put | men |
Discus throw | men |
Hammer throw | men |
Javelin throw | men |
Greek discus | men |
Freestyle javelin | men |
This event was one of two discus throwing events in 1908 and was referred to as the "free style" throw; the other was throwing the discus "as at Athens." For this event, the athletes threw the discus from inside a 2.5 metre diameter circle. There were no rules on form ("The method of throwing is at the absolute discretion of each competitor"), though the thrower had to remain in the circle until the discus hit the ground.[3]
Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in metres) prior to the 1908 Summer Olympics.
World Record | 43.86(*) | Worms (GER) | 1907 | |
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Olympic Record | 41.46 | Athens (GRE) | 1906 |
(*) unofficial
Results
Giffin's first throw (40.70 metres) was his best and gave him the lead until the final round. Sheridan threw 40.89 metres on his final attempt to win.[3]
References
- "Athletics at the 1908 London Summer Games: Men's Discus Throw". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
- Official report, p. 32.
- Official Report, p. 95