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Imagine standing at the free-throw line on one side of a basketball court and heaving a 16-pound metal ball through the net at the other end.
That still would not cover the astonishing world-record distance of 77 feet 3 ¾ inches (23.56 meters) that the shot-putter Ryan Crouser has achieved. On Saturday, despite being limited this season by nerve damage in his right elbow, on his throwing arm, and a torn pectoral muscle, he will try to win an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the event.