In which Summer Olympic Games did women first compete in the hammer throw?

While the men's hammer throw has been part of the Olympics since 1900, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) first included the women’s hammer throw in the Sydney Olympics of 2000.

The hammer throw is one of the four throwing events in regular track and field competitions, along with the discus throw, shot put and javelin. The "hammer" consists of a metal ball attached by a steel wire to a grip. The size of the ball varies between men's and women's competitions.

The men's hammer weighs 16 pounds (7.26 kg) and measures 3 feet 11 3⁄4 inches (121.3 cm) in length, and the women's hammer weighs 8.82 lb (4 kg) and 3 ft 11 in (119.4 cm) in length.

In the modern hammer throw technique, a thrower makes three full, quick turns of the body before flinging the weight. Strength, balance, and proper timing are essential. The throw is a failure if the athlete steps on or outside the circle which is 2.135 metres (7 feet) in diameter or if the hammer lands outside a 40° sector marked on the field from the centre of the circle. Like the other throwing events, the competition is decided by who can throw the hammer the farthest.

The inaugural women's Olympic gold medallist in 2000 was Kamila Skolimowska of Poland. The world record for the women's hammer is held by Anita Włodarczyk of Poland (pictured) who threw 82.98 m (272 ft 2 3⁄4 in) during the Kamila Skolimowska Memorial on 28 August 2016.