Who holds the American record for the men's discus throw?

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the American record for the men's discus throw is held by Ben Plucknett. Born on December 14, 1953, in Gregory, South Dakota, Plucknett achieved great success in the discus throw event and established himself as one of the top American throwers of all time.

Plucknett's record-breaking performance took place on May 7, 1981, in San Diego, California. During the Mt. SAC Relays, he unleashed a mighty throw that measured a distance of 72.34 meters (237 feet, 4 inches). This remarkable achievement surpassed the previous American record set by John Powell in 1976.

Plucknett's throw not only broke the American record but also established a new world record at the time. His mark of 72.34 meters stood as the world record for over 33 years until it was surpassed by Jürgen Schult of East Germany in 1986.

While Plucknett's world record was impressive, it is important to note that the world record was set before the implementation of stricter doping controls in athletics. In 1999, Plucknett admitted to using anabolic steroids during his career, resulting in the annulment of his world record.

However, Plucknett's American record in the discus throw still stands. His exceptional performance in 1981 solidified his place as one of the greatest American discus throwers. Despite the controversies surrounding his world record, his achievement in the discus throw event remains a significant accomplishment in American track and field history.

It is worth mentioning that records may change and new athletes may emerge to break existing records. For the most up-to-date information, it is advisable to refer to the latest records and results from USA Track & Field (USATF) or other official athletics organizations.

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