Javelin throw

The aim of the javelin throw is to propel a metal rod called a javelin as far as possible.

At the Olympic Games, Finland dominates in this discipline, having won more medals than the following four top countries combined.

For Tapio Korjus, Finnish world champion in 1988, there is a historical reason for this success.

"When Finland gained independence from Russian rule in December 1917, the country sought to demonstrate to the world that it was capable of great things. While the javelin podium at the 1920 Olympic Games was entirely Finnish, Matti Järvinen went on to break 10 world records in the 1930s, helping to make the javelin a national pride."

Gradually, javelin throwing developed into a leisure activity in the country, and today more than 4,000 children under the age of 15 throw javelins in clubs, as well as in schools.