The recent performances at the Ramona discus competitions have revived and old controversy on the ”validity” of the wind assisted performances. Since the beginning of the modern sport history , discus throwers have always been looking for good ”wind spots” as they know that if they are smart enough to produce the right flights angles , they will greatly benefit from the help of the wind . Of course scientific studies have been made on the matter and produced datas and conclusions . The results are quite impressive ! In some favourable conditions , they can add an average of 5 to 6 m compared to a throw in relatively ”normal” conditions , but some extremes are event talking of gains of 10 to 12m and more …with a perspective of a potential 84m throw world record !  This is HUGE !

But is it ”fair” or ”legal” ?  In other athletics events (Sprint – jumps) the wind assistance has been recognised and the performance authenticity controlled with the famous 2m/sec rule . But in the wind most affected throwing events (Discus – javelin) , the IAAF has superbly ignored the matter . You just had to be smarter than the other competitors by using the wind better , it was just considered to belong to the technical ability of a thrower.( But in fact it is not , or at least not in certain wind and competitions conditions). Therefore IAAF was leaving the door open to all possible excesses . In a time of ”hunting performances and records at all costs” where many former cheats have been ”legalised” , ”the Ramona  throw business” raises questions which need to be looked after as it is creating havoc in the discus throw world and will have negative consequences concerning inequality of chances for achieving World competition qualification standards …not even mentioning the ”credibility” of records with wind assisted performances !

Should we stop the ”circus” before it’s too late ? And how ? Can a wind rule be set ? …Not easy… but necessary .

In this chapter we have found and used a document published by Dr Andreas V. MAHERAS . It was one of the most serious studies we have found , as it is one of the rare which doesn’t content to study and compare the front and the back wind , but is extending the research to the side winds directions …with the final conclusion that there is a real problem  !

(to make it more digestible , we have reorganised the presentation , added some pictures and highlighted some important points)

Available documents :  Visitors : 1- PDF 10 pages (30% of the main document)

Members : 1-PDF 32 pages  Aerodynamics and flight characteristics of the discus by Andreas V. MAHERAS