Originally, women threw the same implement as men; a lighter, shorter javelin for women was introduced in the 1920s. Women's javelin throw was added to the Olympic program in 1932; Mildred "Babe" Didrikson of the United States became the first champion.

The current women's javelin throw world record stands at 72,28. The WR is held by the Czech thrower Barbora Špotáková. She reached the world record mark in Stuttgart, Germany in September 2008. That makes the women's javelin throw world record over 15 years old.