What is the regulation weight of an Olympic men's discus?
Answer
2 kilograms
The regulation weight of an Olympic men’s discus is 2 kilograms.
The discus is a circular implement thrown from a 2.5-metre-diameter circle. In senior men’s international competition, it must weigh 2 kg and have a diameter of approximately 22 centimetres. Athletes build speed by rotating across the circle before releasing it toward the landing sector.
Women’s senior discus competition uses a lighter 1 kg implement. This difference is one of the most common points of confusion when people compare the two Olympic events. Junior and youth specifications can also vary by age category.
The discus throw has ancient Greek roots and was included in the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Modern implements are carefully manufactured, with a metal rim and central plates, so their dimensions and mass remain consistent across major competitions.