The first

world record A world record is usually the best global and most important performance that is ever recorded and officially verified in a specific skill, sport, or other kind of activity. The book ''Guinness World Records'' and other world records organization ...

in the men's discus was recognised by the International Association of Athletics Federations in 1912, and was set by James Duncan in 1912 (47.58 m). As of 2011, 42 world records have been ratified by the IAAF in the event. Another 14 are acknowledged but are unofficial, since they were set before the founding of IAAF.

Outdoor progression

On 7 July 1981

Ben Plucknett Walter Harrison ("Ben") Plucknett (April 13, 1954 in Beatrice, Nebraska – November 17, 2002 in Essex, Missouri) was an American track and field athlete, known primarily for the discus throw. Plucknett qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team but ...

of the United States won a meet in

Stockholm Stockholm () is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, largest city of Sweden as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in Scandinavia. Approximately 980,000 people liv ...

with a world record throw of , but the record was nullified by the I.A.A.F. one week later when they announced that Plucknett had tested positive for the banned

anabolic steroid Anabolic steroids, also known more properly as anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS), are steroidal androgens that include natural androgens like testosterone (medication), testosterone as well as synthetic androgens that are structurally related ...

nortestosterone.

Indoor world record progress

References

Discus throw records
IAAF.org {{Athletics record progressions Discus, men Discus* Discus throw World record discus throw