 As an implement of war and hunting , javelin throwing began in prehistoric times . Along with the discus , the javelin was the second throwing event in the ancient Olympic pentathlon . Records from 708 BC show two javelin competition types co @-@ existing : throwing at a target and throwing the javelin for distance . It was the latter type from which the modern event derives . In ancient competitions , athletes would wrap an ankyle ( thin leather strip ) around the javelin that acted as a sling to facilitate extra distance . The javelin throw gained much popularity in Scandinavia in the late 18th century and athletes from the region are still among the most dominant throwers in men 's competitions . The modern event features a short run up on a track and then the thrower releases the javelin before the foul line . 
 As an implement of war and hunting , javelin throwing began in prehistoric times . Along with the discus , the javelin was the second throwing event in the ancient Olympic pentathlon . Records from 708 BC show two javelin competition types <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>co</mark></a> @-@ existing : throwing at a target and throwing the javelin for distance . It was the latter type from which the modern event <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>derives</mark></a> . In ancient competitions , athletes would wrap an ankyle ( thin leather strip ) around the javelin <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a>acted as a sling to facilitate extra distance . The javelin throw gained much popularity in Scandinavia in the late 18th century and athletes from the region <a href='drop_aux' title='4'><mark>are</mark></a>still among the most dominant throwers in men <a href='null_genetive' title='5'><mark>'s</mark></a>competitions . The modern event <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>features</mark></a> a short run up on a track and then the thrower <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>releases</mark></a> the javelin before the foul line . 
As an implement of war and huntin , javelin throwing began in prehistoric times . Along with da discus , the javelin was the second throwing event in tdaancient Olympic pentathlon . Records from 708 BC show two javelin competition types coed @-@ existing : throwing at a target and throwin the javelin for distance . It was the latter type from which thdaodern event derive . In ancient competitions , athletes would wrap an ankyle ( thin leather strip ) around the javelin acted as a sling to facilitate extra distance . The javelin throw gained much popularity in Scandinavia in the late 18th century and athletes from thedagion still among the dat dominant throwers in men  competitions . The modern event feature a short run up on a track and then the thrower release the javelin b4 the fda line .