Here is a very nice 2 minute video about Czech Hammer Thrower Lukáš Melich.
It nicely captures the passion and at the same time struggle of athletes who compete in sports that won’t make you rich.
The title of the video translates to something like: “When the path is harder than it seems”.
Update: Comment from reader Tony on the ATG Facebook page.
One of the better videos I have seen on the event, the hammer throw considered by some track & field experts as the second most difficult event to learn behind the Pole vault.
The throw evolves around the thrower making a four-turn ball-heal turn motion within a 7ft. diameter ring, its been estimated in some studies, that at the point of release some of the world’s best throwers are able to generate 250-300 kg of force.
Like many other Olympic Games track & field events that sometimes don’t attract many fans at a meet, the meet directors will hold the event away from other main events going on in the track stadium.
Many times this isn’t done because of the events lack of popularity, but for safety reasons to reduce the chances of a spectator possibly being hit by the 16lb. implement.
The thrower depicted here, Lukas Melich, depicts the true persona of what it is like to train, live, and compete in an event that will have little or no monetary rewards. In essence, a passion, discipline, and drive to be his absolute best, a true Olympian spirit!
By the way, that rotational exercise at 1:47 looks pretty cool.
I really liked that. Very well done.