3 ms·

> Javelin is a bit of an outlier in the Olympics in that throws today are nowhere near the records, even after the changes discussed in the article. This isn't

by nl 5y ago

> Javelin is a bit of an outlier in the Olympics in that throws today are nowhere near the records, even after the changes discussed in the article. This isn't true. There are 10 different athletes who have thrown within 7m of the world record[1] and Johannes Vetter has thrown over 94m 4 times[2]. > So why are we so much worse than 25 years ago? We aren't > The obvious explanation would doping. Zelezy was a freak - as can be seen by his progression[3]. That kind of long-lived high performance (82m in 1986, 86m in 2006) is rarely because of doping - there are too many chances to get caught, and it's too hard to transition between doping types (eg steroids to HGH), and historical testing catches out too many people. The Men's discuss OTOH... This is what a suspicious progression looks like[4]. [1] https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/throws/javelin-throw/outdoor/men/senior?regionType=world&page=1&bestResultsOnly=true&firstDay=1900-01-01&lastDay=2021-08-09 https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/thr... [2] https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/throws/javelin-throw/outdoor/men/senior?regionType=world&page=1&bestResultsOnly=false&firstDay=1900-01-01&lastDay=2021-08-09 https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/thr... [3] https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/czech-republic/jan-zelezny-14168038 https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/czech-republic/jan-z... [4] https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/germany/jurgen-schult-14194172 https://www.worldathletics.org/athletes/germany/jurgen-schul...

hoseja 5y ago
Železný had a completely different revolutionary technique, hence his success.
- nl 5y ago
  It's more than that though. Others have emulated his technique but he's still better. One day his record will be broken. But the density of his high performing throws will always be amazing. Sergey Bubbka is perhaps the closest analogy, although his record was recently - finally - broken.
- getlawgdon 5y ago
  Specifically what do you think was Zelezny's completely different revolutionary technique? Because if you're talking about "wrapping", it was not new. Zelezny did not radically change the technique of the event. I'm very curious to know what you think Zelezny did that was something like what Fosbury did... I can tell you what I think Zelezny did better but that's not the same as what he did completely differently.

by nl 5y ago

hoseja 5y ago

Železný had a completely different revolutionary technique, hence his success.

nl 5y ago
It's more than that though. Others have emulated his technique but he's still better. One day his record will be broken. But the density of his high performing throws will always be amazing. Sergey Bubbka is perhaps the closest analogy, although his record was recently - finally - broken.
getlawgdon 5y ago
Specifically what do you think was Zelezny's completely different revolutionary technique? Because if you're talking about "wrapping", it was not new. Zelezny did not radically change the technique of the event. I'm very curious to know what you think Zelezny did that was something like what Fosbury did... I can tell you what I think Zelezny did better but that's not the same as what he did completely differently.