The reason for the permanent world record is in the article. The new standardization made the javelin fall 10% short.

> in 1986 the International Association of Athletics Federations' technical committee authorized a new javelin design. The center of gravity was moved 1.6 inches forward, the tip was modified to make the javelin less aerodynamic, meaning it would nose down earlier and land sooner, reducing average flight distance by about 10 percent.

The permanent WR is unfortunate in that it was engineered. It would be like moving the 100 m to an incline of 12% and calling it the same sport.

Attainable goals are more motivating and meaningful than unattainable ones. It's in many ways a different event because the equipment is different, so why should a record for a different event stand.

> It's in many ways a different event because the equipment is different, so why should a record for a different event stand.

That's a completely separate concern. Once records are established for the current event, you still expect them to be more or less permanent. Turning in the best performance in all of history is not an attainable goal. You can't expect it to be one.

What are you talking about? World records are broken all the time.

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2021/07/29/olympic-...

there's no reason to not have something that's the "world record" under current rules.

Improved nutrition, sports science and innovations in the biomechanics of throwing.

If you really believe that, the obvious implication is that the current world record isn't permanent after all. Good news!