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Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics – Men's shot put

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Men's shot put
at the Games of the III Olympiad
Ralph Rose putting the shot
VenueFrancis Field
DateAugust 31
Competitors8 from 2 nations
Winning distance14.81 =WR, OR
Medalists
1st place, gold medalist(s) Ralph Rose
 United States
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Wesley Coe
 United States
3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Lawrence Feuerbach
 United States
← 1900
1908 →

The men's shot put was a track and field athletics event held as part of the Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics programme. It was the third time the event was held. The competition was held on August 31, 1904. 8 athletes from 2 nations competed.[1] The event was won by Ralph Rose of the United States, the nation's third consecutive victory in the men's shot put. Americans won silver (Wesley Coe) and bronze (Lawrence Feuerbach) as well, completing the second consecutive podium sweep in the event.

Background

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This was the third appearance of the event, which is one of 12 athletics events to have been held at every Summer Olympics. None of the throwers from 1900 returned. Ralph Rose of the United States had broken the world record earlier in 1904 but had not won any major competitions. His countryman, Wesley Coe, had won the AAA championship multiple times. The two were the favorites, with an edge to Rose. As in 1896 and 1900, Irishman Denis Horgan would have been a significant contender but did not attend.[2]

No nations made their debut in the men's shot put this year. Both nations that competed in 1904 were making their third appearance, having competed in 1896 and 1900 as well.

Competition format

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Ralph Rose putting the shot (1908)

The format of the competition is unclear; each there was a single round of throwing with each thrower receiving six attempts.[2] The throwing stage was a 2.13 metre circle, the first time the modern circle was used in the Games rather than a square.

Records

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These were the standing world and Olympic records (in metres) prior to the 1904 Summer Olympics.

World record  Ralph Rose (USA)* 14.81 Chicago, United States 21 May 1904
Olympic record  Richard Sheldon (USA) 14.10 Paris, France 15 July 1900

* unofficial

Ralph Rose set a new Olympic record in his first try with 14.35 metres only to be bettered by Wesley Coe in his first try when he threw 14.40 metres. Finally Ralph Rose set a new Olympic record and repeated his own unofficial world record with 14.81 metres in his fifth throw.

Schedule

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Date Time Round
Wednesday, 31 August 1904 Final

Results

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George Georgantas, shown in the stone throwing event in the 1906 Intercalated Games, which he won

Georgantas, the only non-American entrant, withdrew in disgust after officials called his first two attempts fouls for throwing (rather than putting) the shot.

Limited throwing sequences and results are known.

Rank Athlete Nation Distance Notes
1st place, gold medalist(s) Ralph Rose  United States 14.81 =WR, OR
2nd place, silver medalist(s) Wesley Coe  United States 14.40
3rd place, bronze medalist(s) Lawrence Feuerbach  United States 13.37
4 Martin Sheridan  United States 12.39
5 Charles Chadwick  United States Unknown
6 Albert Johnson  United States Unknown
7 John Guiney  United States Unknown
Nikolaos Georgantas  Greece DSQ

References

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  1. ^ "Athletics at the 1904 St. Louis Summer Games: Men's Shot Put". sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Shot Put, Men". Olympedia. Retrieved 29 September 2020.

Sources

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