The men's

hammer throw The hammer throw is one of the four throwing events in regular track and field competitions, along with the discus throw, shot put and javelin. The "hammer" used in this sport is not like any of the tools also called by that name. It consist ...

was a

track and field athletics Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing skills. The name is derived from where the sport takes place, a running track and a grass field for the throwing and some of the jumping eve ...

event held as part of the

Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics At the 1904 Summer Olympics, twenty-five athletics events were contested. A total of 74 medals (25 gold, 25 silver and 24 bronze) were awarded. Multi-event competitions, the all-around and triathlon, were introduced, along with a 56-pound weight ...

programme. It was the second time the event was held. The competition was held on Monday, August 29, 1904. Six athletes, all from the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

, competed. John Flanagan, the reigning champion, defended his gold medal and set a new Olympic record. John DeWitt took silver and

Ralph Rose Ralph Waldo Rose (March 17, 1885 – October 16, 1913) was an American track and field athlete. He was born in Healdsburg, California. Biography Standing 6 ft 5.5 in (197 cm) and weighing 250 pounds (115 kg), Rose was the first shot putte ...

bronze. It was the second consecutive medal sweep for the United States in the event. Flanagan was the first man to earn multiple medals in the event; he would finish with three consecutive victories, a record not matched by anyone in the hammer throw.

Background

This was the second appearance of the event, which has been held at every Summer Olympics except 1896. John Flanagan was the defending Olympic champion and had won at least 10 national titles across Great Britain, Ireland, and the United States; he was a heavy favorite. John DeWitt was a four-time IC4A champion.

was best known as a shot putter, but had been rumored to have thrown a monstrous 190 feet (57.9 metres). The lack of international competition meant that Great Britain's two-time AAA champion Tom Nicolson was absent. Also not competing was Alfred Plaw, who had beaten Flanagan to win the AAU championship in 1904.

Competition format

The format of the competition is unclear. The throwing area was a seven-foot circle.

Records

These were the standing world and Olympic records (in metres) prior to the 1904 Summer Olympics. ^* unofficial - The IAAF didn't begin to recognize World Records in this event until 1912. John Flanagan bettered the only Olympic record with 51.23 meters.

Schedule

Results

References

Sources

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Athletics At The 1904 Summer Olympics - Men's Hammer Throw Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics Hammer throw at the Olympics