Athletes
Highland Games were said to have been started to test the ability of the warriors who were chosen by to go off to battle. The modern highland games were said to have inspired the modern Olympics. The athletes compete in several events over the course of one or two days. There are several divisions with both men and women competing.
The Events
- Stone Put – their is two events with this. The first is where the athlete throws a large stone from a still position. The second is where the athlete can slide or spin to throw the stone. The stone ranges from 8-18 pounds for women and 16-26 pounds for men.
- Caber Toss – this is where the athlete throws a caber or large log with the goal to toss the caber end over end at a 12 o’clock position when it lands for points. The large pine pole is held upright and the athlete runs forward and then tosses it. It requires a lot of strength, skill, and balance.
- Hammer Throw – Athletes with feet fixed lift the hammer which is a metal ball ranging from 12 to 22 pounds attached to a 4 foot shaft over their heads spinning it around and then throwing it over their shoulders for distance. The athletes wear special flat blade on their shoes to keep them in place.
- Weight for distance – this has two events one for a lighter weight and one for a heavy weight. The weight is attached to a handle and chain. Athletes often spin around before releasing the weight. They are only allowed to use one hand. The weight ranges from 14 to 28 pounds for women and 28 to 56 pounds for men.
- Weight over bar – Women us a 28 pound weight and men use a 56 pound weight that is attached to a handle and chain with one arm toss throw the weight up and over a bar. The athletes get three attempts to clear the bar in order to go to the next round where they raise the bar. The athlete that can successfully clears the bar the highest is the winner.
- Sheaf toss – this is where the athlete tosses a 10 to 20 pound sheaf (Burlap sack filled with hay) over a bar. The athlete gets three attempts to clear the bar. The athlete that clears the highest bar wins.
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