Both competitions used the standard 56 pounds (25 kg) implement used in the United States. International participation was limited in the event which was mainly practised in North America. Five of the six entrants in the 1904 St. Louis Olympics were American, but Canadian Étienne Desmarteau topped the podium.[1] Given the lack of interest from other nations, the event was dropped for the next Olympics. It was revived once more for the 1920 Summer Olympics, held in Antwerp, and Swedish and Finnish throwers joined the American team and sole Canadian Archie McDiarmid at that competition. Pat McDonald, the oldest entrant at age 41, won the gold medal for the United States. His winning mark of 11.265 m (36 ft 11+1⁄2 in) remains the best achieved for the event in Olympic competition.[2]
The weight throw was again dropped from the programme after 1920 and has not since gained wide participation in track and field events beyond North America.
