A javelin is a spear. A spear is a long narrow piece of wood or metal or plastic with a point on one end. The javelin is thrown by a person. The person usually holds the javelin over their head and runs forward. They draw their arm back and throw it forward.

People have been doing this for many years in special games. Each person tries to throw it farther than another person.

Long ago, the javelin would land flat on the ground. It would then slide a long distance. This was dangerous. The judges may not know where it hit first.

Now, the javelin must land point-down into the ground. Because of the way it is made the javelin will almost always land point-down. This is safer and the judges know exactly where it landed, because the point is in the ground.

Air moves over the javelin, as it glides through the air. The longest throw is 95.66 meters (313 ft 10 in.). That's longer than a football field!