Discus Throw, Men

The American boycott prevented competition between the East Germans, the Soviets and the best American throwers, which included defending champion Mac Wilkins and … four-time champion Al Oerter. Wilkins was still considered the best American discus thrower, and won the meaningless 1980 US Olympic Trials. But Oerter had come out of retirement to compete again and in 1980 would have the second longest throw of the year with a PR 69.46 (227-10¾). He placed fourth at the Olympic Trial, but if it had really meant something … well, who knows. The world record holder in 1980 was Wolfgang Schmidt, the silver medalist from Montréal and 1978 European Champion. But he had an ankle injury and would finish out of the medals. The gold medal was won by Soviet Viktor Rashchupkin, a journeyman thrower who produced a PR to win. The Soviet judges were felt to be helpful, as Cuba’s Luis Delís’s final throw appeared to be a winning mark, but some observers thought it was marked at least a foot short.