The men's discus throw event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1920 Summer Olympics. The competition was held on Saturday, August 21, 1920, and on Sunday, August 22, 1920. 17 discus throwers from eight nations competed. No nation had more than 4 athletes, suggesting the limit had been reduced from the 12 maximum in force in 1908 and 1912. The event was won by Elmer Niklander of Finland, the nation's second consecutive victory in the men's discus throw. Armas Taipale, the winner in 1912, took silver to become the second man to win multiple medals in the event. Gus Pope took bronze, continuing the American streak of podium appearances at all six discus competitions to date.
Background
This was the sixth appearance of the event, which is one of 12 athletics events to have been held at every Summer Olympics. Returning competitors from 1912 included defending champion Armas Taipale and fourth-place finisher Elmer Niklander, both of Finland. Taipale had twice beaten the world record, though the IAAF did not acknowledge those throws.
Belgium and Czechoslovakia each made their debut in the men's discus throw. The United States made its sixth appearance, having competed in every edition of the Olympic men's discus throw to date. Greece missed the event for the first time.
Competition format
The competition continued to use the single, divided-final format in use since 1896. Each athlete received three throws, with the top six receiving an additional three throws.Official Report, p. 115.
Records
These were the standing world and Olympic records (in metres) prior to the 1920 Summer Olympics.
No new world or Olympic records were set during the competition.
Schedule
Date Time Round Saturday, 21 August 1920 15:45 Qualifying Sunday, 22 August 1920 10:00 Final
Results
The best six discus throwers qualified for the final.
Rank Athlete Nation Qualifying Final Distance Elmer Niklander 44.685 Unknown 44.685 Armas Taipale 44.19 Unknown 44.19 Gus Pope 42.13 Unknown 42.13 4 Oscar Zallhagen 40.16 41.07 41.07 5 William Bartlett 40.875 Unknown 40.875 6 Allan Eriksson 39.41 Unknown 39.41 7 Valther Jensen 38.23 Did not advance 38.23 8 Ville Pörhölä 38.19 Did not advance 38.19 9 Aurelio Lenzi 37.75 Did not advance 37.75 10 Kenneth Wilson 37.58 Did not advance 37.58 11 André Tison 37.35 Did not advance 37.35 12 Jonni Myyrä 37.00 Did not advance 37.00 13 František Hoplíček 36.75 Did not advance 36.75 14 Émile Ecuyer 36.10 Did not advance 36.10 15 Daniel Pierre 35.53 Did not advance 35.53 16 Arthur Delaender 32.00 Did not advance 32.00 Hans Granfelt Unknown Did not advance Unknown
References
Sources