Athletic Training

CHAPTER .XVII THE JAVELIN THROW THE javelin throw is an event for which we are indebted to the Greeks, who made it a feature of the Olympic games. It is far more popular in the European countries than in the United States; but within the last few years some of our colleges and athletic clubs have introduced it, so that "it promises to become quite popular, provided the Olympic Council keeps it on the programme. The javelin is made of wood, usually of ash or hickory, the latter wood giving the best service. · The official javelin is 8 feet 6 inches in length, and weighs 1.6 pounds. It has a metal point, and about the centre of gravity a grip is formed by binding whip-cord with– out knots. At the grip the javelin is about one inch in diameter, and tapers down to about one-half inch at the rear end. 138