Backley’s 298-6 Throw Retrieves Javelin Record From Zelezny

Britain’s Steve Backley took back the world javelin record Friday with a throw more than four feet farther than the previous record.

Backley’s heave of 298 feet 6 inches was the first to break the 90-meter mark of 295-3.

Less than a week ago, Czechoslovakia’s Jan Zelezny eclipsed Backley’s world record with a throw of 294-2 in Oslo. “I always said that he had borrowed the record from me,” Backley said.

Zelezny’s best effort Friday was 281-7.