Official dies after being hit by javelin

Elderly people tend to have poor vision and reaction times so I don't quite understand why meet organizers place them in the infield at track meets and hurl heavy or sharp objects at them.

SMJO wrote:

Elderly people tend to have poor vision and reaction times so I don't quite understand why meet organizers place them in the infield at track meets and hurl heavy or sharp objects at them.

It's not easy to find volunteers for track meets and it's not like stuff like this happens all the time. Much more likely to die from a heart attack while watching TV at that age. Also, this could have happened to a younger guy, too. Be distracted for a second, look somewhere else.

RIP.

Always made me a bit nervous being near the javelin throws at track meets--so sorry to hear of this.

You mean the point ISN'T to aim at the guy standing in the field? Oh my god I need to go speak with my lawyer.

This ended up not serious, but...OUCH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHj2UJNMd0U

Many decades ago I was officiating a Div 3 women's dual meet, where the average throw was about 120', but the top was 160'. And after a while found myself in no man's land, trying to out maneuver both the javelin and the slight quartering wind that kept propelling it towards me. Got lucky that day. Nobody can outrun an errant Jav. I wish that officials were required to carry shields.

At the trials the javelin came very close to the pole vaulters on several occasions and no one did a thing. It could have been a huge tragedy and the officials didn't move the vaulters or delay the javelin...they just kept throwing and the vaulters scattered...way too close for comfort.

At the trials on Thursday at the Nike Hammer Field, Lance Deal missed his last day on the face of the earth by a few inches when his hammer throw was momentarily caught in the cage 20 feet up then dropped to the ground nearly missing his skull and splattering brain matter for the crows to feast upon.

Hugh Jindasak wrote:

This ended up not serious, but...OUCH

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHj2UJNMd0U

Pitkämäki doesn't like long jumpers

Ex JC Runner wrote:

I hope the kids that threw the Javelin gets the support needed and continues to compete in the sport.

WTF???????

At the trials on Thursday at the Nike Hammer Field, Lance Deal missed his last day on the face of the earth by a few inches when his hammer throw was momentarily caught in the cage 20 feet up then dropped to the ground nearly missing his skull and splattering brain matter for the crows to feast upon.

BFD. LD is from Montana. He's not a true Oregonian.

You are one ignorant piece of crap. Doesn't say much for how you were brought up.

that kid must have been a Spartan warrior in a previous life.

bad luck for the old man though. truly a sad and tragic way to go.

pics?

Truly a tragedy for the man his family the thrower and track.

Just a note---javelin accidents always make the news because of the gory nature of the accident.

There are more car fatalities in a day probably than javelin accidents in a year--not to downplay either but

ZZZZZIIIIIIINGGGG!!!!!!! Good one, buddy, you got me good there!