Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's freestyle javelin throw

The men's freestyle javelin throw was one of six throwing events on the Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics programme in London. The javelin could be held anywhere, as opposed to the standard javelin throw which required the javelin to be held by a grip in the middle. This was the only time such a "freestyle" event was held at the Olympics. The competition was held on 15 July 1908. 33 throwers from nine nations competed. NOCs could enter up to 12 athletes.

Records
This was the modern Olympic debut of the javelin throw, discounting the 1906 Intercalated Games which are no longer considered part of the Olympics.

(*) unofficial

Eric Lemming set a new world and Olympic record throwing in the standard manner in the freestyle event. Two days later in the standard javelin throw event, Lemming improved his own world and Olympic record set in this event with 54.83 m.

Results
Eric Lemming set a new world and Olympic record with 54.44 metres. He threw the javelin in a conventional manner.