Tuesday, August 6th 2024, 5:34 pm
Olympic track and field athletes are taking the stage in Paris this week, vying for gold medals. For many shot put and discus throwers, the road to Paris included a stop in Ramona, Oklahoma.
Here's something you may not have known: the men’s discus throw world record was set in Ramona, Oklahoma back in April. The man who did it is now in Paris competing for an Olympic gold medal.
Tucked away on rolling pastures 25 miles north of Tulsa lies a field of dreams, and world records.
"So this is Mykolas Alekna's mark still in the field," says Throw Town Co-owner Caleb Seal.
Seal keeps a traffic cone here to mark the spot of the 243-foot discus throw world record set here by Lithuanian Mykolas Alekna back in April.
"If the wind is blowing from right to left, this is what we're looking for."
Seal says favorable wind conditions in Ramona are part of the reason this facility exists here.
"This is a place for the world to come and challenge their personal best and country marks and world records, so it's very unique to see them in the Olympics," says Seal.
Seal has a wall full of photos of both men and women who have thrown in Ramona, and he keeps a running list of all the records.
Thirty-two athletes who have thrown at this Olympic-quality field are now at the games in Paris, including Mykolas Alekna.
"Hopefully he breaks the Olympic record tomorrow,” says Seal.
And while the Olympic stadium in Paris won't have any wind sweeping down the plains to help, Seal expects to see great things.
"It kind of takes a team effort to be able to break records like that. You got to get the right people at the right time at the right place," says Seal.
The men's discus final is Wednesday in Paris, and there's no doubt Caleb Seal will be watching.
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