History of Javelin throw at the Olympics in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 29, 2025

The javelin throw is a track and field event held at the Summer Olympics. The men's javelin throw has been an Olympic event since 1908. The women's event was introduced at the 1932 Olympics. It became the second women's throws event after the discus.

1906: Men's freestyle javelin at the 1906 Games

At the 1906 Games, the men's freestyle javelin event was contested, marking the first time the javelin featured on the Olympic programme. Swedish athletes dominated the competition.

1906: Freestyle javelin contest

Following the freestyle javelin contest at the 1906 Intercalated Games, the event was continued at the 1908 London Olympics.

1906: Freestyle javelin at the Intercalated Games

In 1906, a freestyle version of the javelin was first contested at the Intercalated Games.

1906: Intercalated Games in Athens

In 1906, the Intercalated Games were held in Athens and were officially recognized as part of the Olympic Games series at the time. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) later decided not to recognize these games as part of the official Olympic series.

1908: Eric Lemming won the first two Olympic titles proper

Eric Lemming would go on to win the first two Olympic titles proper in 1908 and 1912.

1908: Eric Lemming won at the London Olympics

In 1908 London Olympics, Eric Lemming won his second freestyle title, and his first officially recognised Olympics gold, and also won the standard style event as well. The freestyle event was dropped after 1908.

1908: Men's javelin throw at the Olympics

In 1908, the men's javelin throw was introduced to the Olympic athletics programme, marking it as the last of the current throwing events to be featured at the Olympics.

1908: Freestyle javelin at the London Olympics

The freestyle javelin event was contested again at the 1908 London Olympics.

1912: Two-handed javelin throw competition at the Stockholm Olympics

At the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, a two-handed variant of the standard javelin throw competition took place. Each athlete had three attempts using each hand, and their score was calculated by adding their best performances for the left and right hands.

1912: Eric Lemming won the first two Olympic titles proper

Eric Lemming would go on to win the first two Olympic titles proper in 1908 and 1912.

1912: Finnish athletes completed a podium sweep

In 1912, Finnish athletes completed a podium sweep in the two-handed javelin event. Julius Saaristo took the gold medal. Eric Lemming performed poorly with his left hand and finished in fourth place.