The history of the shot put can be found to date back thousands of years before the British Isles were Christianized and the land was still ruled by chieftains. In modern terms, the sport was formalized and became an Olympic element in 1896.

Today the sport is carried out using a heavy metal ball and a special technique is perfected to be able to throw the ball as far as possible. To be truly successful in this event, the athlete must combine technique, form and strength.

Thousands of years ago, the event was held with stone balls in Scotland. The bosses would use the event to determine which was the most powerful. They would select one of their warriors to throw the stone ball as far as possible and the winner would be deemed to come from the most militarily powerful clan. The event has also become part of the Highland Games.

The sport underwent changes throughout the Middle Ages until the 18th century, when it was a popular sport among soldiers who fired cannonballs. It is from this era of the sport that it earns its name with the “shot” which refers to the cannonball and the “put” part of a throwing style that was used.

Until the modern Olympics began, the sport was popular, but it was not formalized. As part of athletics at the Olympics, the sport was eventually formalized. However, it would not become a women’s event at the games until 1948.

Today’s sport hasn’t changed much throughout the history of shot put. The balls today are made of lead and it is usually the technique used that varies the most. One of the best known shot put athletes was Randy Barnes, who introduced the rotational form of throwing in 1976.