Athlete speared by a javelin in freak accident! rome july '07
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French long-jumper Salim Sdiri was rushed to hospital after being speared by a javelin thrown by Finland's Tero Pitkamaki at the IAAF Golden League meeting in Rome.
The accident occurred in the third round of the javelin when Pitkamaki, challenging to defend his Golden Jackpot title, saw his throw veer to the left.Leaving the throwing arcs it hit the 28-year-old Frenchman, who was lying fourth in his competition, in his right side in the area of his ribcage. Instead of throwing the javelin out and away from his body, it went right in front on the throw that caused the accident.
Officials said that Sdiri did not remember the incident because he went into shock. He was rushed to hospital where examinations revealed that he had a lucky escape.
Italy's Andrew Howe, who went on to win the long jump, said the javelin just missed his head. 'It could have been me, it could have hit my head. Everybody freaked out,' he said.