The shot put event is one of the four throwing events contested as a part of the track and field disciple in the Olympics. The men's event has been a part of the games since the first Olympics in 1896. The women's event was added to the Olympics in 1948.
The United States had dominated the men's short put event in the past winning the gold medal in 14 of the 16 Olympics till 1968. The event has opened up from the 1972 Olympics, where Poland in particular has done well with three gold medals same as the number of gold medals won by the United States.
Ralph Rose of the United States, and Tomasz Majewski of Poland; the current reigning and two time gold medalist in 2008 and 2012 games, are the only men to have won the gold medal twice. In the women's event, Valerie Adams of New Zealand is the only two time gold medalist, winning the event in 2008 and 2012.
As of March 2016, the current Olympic record of 22.47m for the men's event is held by Ulf Timmermann of Germany, which was set during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. For the women's event, the record is 22.41m set by Ilona Slupianek of Germany during the 1980 Moscow Games.
Related Pages
- About Track and Field at the Olympics
- About the Two Hands Shot Put a discontinued Olympic event.
- See more on the Greatest T&F Athletes at the Olympics.
- List of Olympic Sports