How Fast Is Hammer Throw?

An Olympic hammer is launched at 30 m/s — the athlete acting as a human centrifuge spinning a 7.26 kg ball on a wire. The athlete experiences 4g during the spin, before releasing at exactly the right moment for maximum throw.

A hammer thrower experiences 4g during the spin — they are essentially a human-powered centrifuge.

• Same as freeway driving
• Athlete experiences 4g during the spin