The javelin throw has a special place in the history of Latvian track-and-field athletics because of athletes' remarkable performance in the Games of Olympiad. Javelin throwers can boast three Olympic gold medals, the only ones ever won by Latvian athletes.

It was in 1956 in Melbourne that Inese Jaunzeme (born in 1932) threw the javelin to the mark of 53.68 metres. Before her no Latvian athlete, either in Latvian or another country's team, had ever won the Olympic gold medal.

The most outstanding Latvian javelin thrower Janis Lusis (born in 1939) participated in four Games of Olympiad (in 1964, 1968, 1972, and 1976). His most successful performance was in Mexico in 1968 when he made the 90.10 metre mark, winning the gold medal. He took silver for his throw of 90.46 metres four years later in Munich. In his very first Olympics in Tokyo, when his javelin reached the mark of 80.57 metres, Lusis was the bronze medal winner. On two occasions he succeeded in breaking the world record. His personal best was 93.80 metres in Stockholm in 1972. The athlete set ten Latvian records and was European champion four times. In 1987 the International Amateur Athletic Federation recognised Janis Lusis as the all-time best javelin thrower.

Dainis Kula (born in 1959) won the gold medal in the 1980 Moscow Olympics Games, becoming one of the youngest Olympic champions in the history of the javelin throw.

On the eve of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Latvian javelin throwers can also take pride in their results.

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