thumb|right|300px|Men throwing marlinspike, about 1800 '''Svaika''' ({{lang-rus|Свайка|p=ˈsvajkə|t=marlinspike}}) is a traditional throwing game that was popular among lower-class Russian men up to the 20th century. The game involves tossing a marlinspike-like spear so that it lands within a metal ring placed on the ground at a certain distance.<ref> Riordan, James [https://books.google.com/books?id=MDE8AAAAIAAJ&dq=svaika+game&pg=PA30 ''Sport in Soviet Society: Development of Sport and Physical Education in Russia and the USSR.''] Cambridge: Cambtidge University Press, 1977. Page 30</ref> A tool for the game can weigh up to five pounds.
By one account of events, Tsarevich Dmitry died from a stab wound while he was playing this game, although this is disputed.<ref>Скрынников, Р.Г. Самозванцы в России в начале XVII века. Григорий Отрепьев. - С. 14</ref>
==References== {{commonscat|Svaika}} {{Reflist}}
{{External media |float = right |video1 = [http://video.yandex.ru/users/igroteka1/view/42/ Svaika game] |video2 = [http://video.yandex.ru/users/igroteka1/view/41/ Making a spear for the game] }}
Category:Throwing games Category:Russian games