Track Athletics in Detail (extract)

76 TRACK ATHLETICS IN DETAIL THROWING THK HAMMER and the handle foim a straight, horizontal line from the shoulders. The fourth picture demonstrates the attitude of the performer as he swings the hammer about his head in order to gain the necessary momentum. The motion at the start is slow, but becomes gradually faster and faster, so that the top speed shall be reached just about as the athlete is read) to turn. It is the usual custom to throw the ham­ mer three times around the head before turning. I he fifth picture shows this turn. When this act is performed the hammer should be kept well behind the body, and the thrower should try to move his feet around as fast as he can, and never