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August 04, 2004
How Far Is Too Far?
Posted by Nick
Here is an odd little story, but includes an interesting tidbit on the javelin:
the official javelins had to be redesigned about 20 years ago because they were flying too far. Improvements since then have pushed distances back up, and another redesign may be needed in a few years.
This conjures up images of the nerds competing in the movie "Revenge of the Nerds" when Lamar won the javelin competition over the jocks (How can the weak and effeminate Lamar throw a javelin further than a muscle-bound football player? -- by aerodynamically coordinating the instrument to his limp-wristed throwing style, of course). But it also raises a question? How far is too far? Were they able to keep it on the field? I'm curious what prompted it.
Comments (2)
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Nick Schulz is the Editor of Tech Central Station and has worked in media circles and the ideas industry as a writer, editor, television producer and policy analyst. His writings have appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Slate, The National Post of Canada, The Baltimore Sun, Investor's Business Daily, The Washington Times, National Review, Reason, Policy Review, and several other publications. He is also, it should be said, a rabid sports fan whose fandom is inversely proportional to his overall athletic ability.
1. Mark on August 5, 2004 01:27 AM writes...
Here again they are using rules in order to limit the influence of technology. I guess there is a point of absurdity but why not throw them as far as the designs can go? I'm not too familiar with javelin-tech, but I know its not one of the biggest international sports. That being said, its not that it isn't interesting but I could imagine it gaining a lot more attention with some tech-enhanced tremendous throwing.
Permalink to Comment2. Andrew MacDonald on September 2, 2004 05:35 AM writes...
Something similar happenned to rowing in the early 80s. I might be a bit hazy on the details - scientists in the eastern bloc were enhancing earlier work on sliding riggers (instead of sliding seats). Sliding riggers are much more efficient and faster (not the same thing, if you analyse the movements involved - you can find this on the web). The peak world rowing body then banned them, on the grounds that the investment required to switch over to the faster set-up would disadvantage poorer countries.
Permalink to CommentIt seems silly still to maintain this, when most other rowing boat design features have advanced dramatically, and it's still an expensive, limited particiaption sport (I didn't see any Sudan rowing crew race at Athens).
You can buy non-racing rowing shells with sliding riggers.
Regards