Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics – Men's discus throw
The men's discus throw field event at the 1972 Olympic Games took place on September 1 and 2. After the retirement of four-time Olympic champion Al Oerter, this was an event that was open to everyone. The favorite was two-time Olympic medalist and 1971 European Champion Ludvík Daněk.Results
All throwers reaching and the top 12 including ties advanced to the finals. All qualifiers are shown in blue. All distances are listed in metres.Qualifying
Final
| Rank | Name | Nationality | Mark | 1st throw | 2nd throw | 3rd throw | 4th throw | 5th throw | 6th throw |
| Ludvík Daněk | | 64.40 | 58.12 | 60.38 | 62.38 | 62.54 | 61.70 | 64.40 |
| Jay Silvester | | 63.50 | 62.12 | x | 63.50 | x | x | 62.86 |
| Ricky Bruch | | 63.40 | 59.12 | x | 61.52 | 62.76 | 63.40 | 62.60 |
| 4 | John Powell | | 62.82 | 61.92 | 62.82 | 60.44 | x | 61.38 | x |
| 5 | Géza Fejér | | 62.62 | 62.50 | 62.56 | x | x | 61.50 | 62.62 |
| 6 | Detlef Thorith | | 62.42 | 61.74 | 62.42 | 61.06 | x | 59.88 | x |
| 7 | Ferenc Tégla | | 60.60 | 58.38 | 59.66 | 57.40 | x | 58.16 | 60.60 |
| 8 | Tim Vollmer | | 60.24 | 59.26 | 60.24 | x | x | x | 58.54 |
| 9 | Pentti Kahma | | 59.66 | 57.20 | 58.92 | 59.66 | | | |
| 10 | Silvano Simeon | | 59.34 | 58.80 | 59.34 | 58.36 | | | |
| 11 | Jorma Rinne | | 59.22 | 57.30 | 56.88 | 59.22 | | | |
| 12 | János Murányi | | 57.92 | 57.92 | 57.16 | x | | | |
| 13 | Namakoro Niaré | | 56.48 | 56.48 | 55.10 | x | | | |
| 14 | Les Mills | | 55.86 | x | 54.48 | 55.86 | | | |
Key: p = pass; x = fault; NM = no mark; DNS = did not start
