2001 European Winter Throwing Challenge

While colder climates are suitable for cross country running, most throwing athletes lacked a competitive outdoor venue during this period of the year.

As a resolution, the European Athletics Association proposed the hosting of a throwing event to be held each March in the warmer areas of the continent.

Spanish shot putter Manuel Martínez Gutiérrez produced the best mark in the men's side, earning 1136 points for his throw of 20.27 m (66 ft 6 in).

Two national records were set during the competition, both in the women's hammer throw (an event which had only been added to the Olympic Games programme the previous year).

[3] The inaugural edition of the event attracted a high calibre of participants, with ten Olympic or World Championships medallists in attendance.