1980 Olympics javelin throw final

This was another controversial Olympic final.
In the 1980 Olympics, held in Moscow, the favorite was Hungary's Ferenc Paragi but he did not perform well, finishing 10th. East German Detlef Michel was also highly considered but did not even make the final. There were few other big names left in the final. The best Soviet thrower was the Latvian Dainis Kūla but in the final he opened with two fouls. On his third throw he got off a big toss, but it quite obviously landed flat and was a foul. However, the official waved the white flag, indicating a fair throw, and they measured it -- at 88.88 (291-7¼) he was now in the lead. Writing in _Track & Field News_ Jim Dunaway noted, "'Incompetent officiating' is the kind of explanation one can make. 'Cheating' is the word many people used. Judge for yourself."
Unfortunately, while the throw is on this video, they don't show how the javelin landed.
In the next round Kūla hit 91.20 (299-2½) which would win him the gold medal. His teammate, Aleksandr Makarov improved in the final round to 89.64 (294-1¼), which earned him silver.

For more information please visit:http://www.nemethjavelins.hu or join us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/NemethJavelins

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1980
• Olympics
• Moscow
• javelin
• throw
• final
• Dainis
• Kula
• Aleksandr
• Makarov
• Wolfgang
• Hanisch
• Heino
• Puuste
• Antero
• Puranen
• Pentti
• Sinersaari
• Miklos
• Nemeth
• Javelins
• track
• field

[dysjav]

nice video, but can you put the video of "stoikov" which is written on the list of throwers at this video. do you have all thrower's attempts?

[NemethJavelins]

@dysjav Unfortunately I don't have all the throwers' attempts. Stefan Stoykov threw 79 meters and I don't have his footage.

However, I do have a compilation of the women's competition which I will post soon.

[stanante]

What was so controversial about this final. It was before my time. I'd be interested to hear about it.

[NemethJavelins]

@stanante "The best Soviet thrower was the Latvian Dainis Kūla but in the final he opened with two fouls. On his third throw he got off a big toss, but it quite obviously landed flat and was a foul. However, the official waved the white flag and they measured it - at 88.88m - he was now in the lead. Writing in _Track & Field News_ Jim Dunaway noted, "'Incompetent officiating' is the kind of explanation one can make. 'Cheating' is the word many people used. Judge for yourself."

[vitoduval]

IAAF took charge of the officials soon after

[rocketjav11]

I always thought the old jav was allowed to lad flat?

[Georg1979]

I love to see these old footages. I was 1 year old at the time. Thank you!

[stanante]

@NemethJavelins Many thanks for the informative history lesson

[NemethJavelins]

@9848Joshman

Yes, the red-white javelin is the Apollo 'Olympic'.

The yellow one with the red grip Hanisch and I used was a Sandvik Champion 'N'.

You can also see a gold-white javelin there, which is another Apollo.