The hammer throw is notable as a sport since it doesn't use a hammer, nor do you throw it. Today's hammer throw event uses a ball (metal sphere) and chain for equipment. The chain has a handle on the end and athletes spin before they release the hammer just as they do with the discus.

Here are some statistics on the hammer throw:

• The hammer is a little over a meter in length.
• Women throw a 4kg hammer, while men throw a 7kg hammer.
• The women's metal sphere is 9.5cm to 11cm in diameter.
• The men's metal sphere is 11cm to 13cm in diameter.

 

You spin around a platform 2 meters in diameter and have to get your hammer within a boundary that starts at 32 degrees and goes to 92 degrees. It looks like a inverted triangle. You get three chances and your best throw counts as your final score.

A total of 17 athletes have competed in both the winter and summer Olympics. Back in the day, the winter and summer Olympics were held in the same year. As you know, they now are every two years.

As usual, the United States holds the record on number of athletes who have participated in both Olympics.

• Connie Carpenter Phinney (speed skating 1972 / cycling 1984)
• Willie Davenport (track and field 1968 and 1976 / bobsleigh 1980)
• Eddie Eagan (boxing 1920 / bobsleigh, 1932)
• Dave Gilman (canoe and kayak 1976, 1984 and 1988 / luge 1984)
• Arthur Longsjo (speed skating and cycling 1956)
• Connie Paraskevin-Young (speed skating 1984 and 1980 / cycling 1996, 1992 and 1988)
• Arnold Uhrlass (speed skating 1960 / cycling 1964)
• Chris Witty (cycling 2000 / speed skating 2006)

The United State's northern neighbor Canada sports four who participated in both the winter and summer Olympics: