German javelin official killed while judging javelin contest
A 74-year-old javelin official was killed in Germany when a javelin hit him. Dieter Strack was officiating a youth meet in Dusseldorf when he was struck in the throat. He was rushed to the hospital but died from the injury.
Strack was described as a popular and experienced official by the groups that sponsored the meet.
The 15-year-old who threw the javelin is receiving psychological counseling. Though police were called to investigate, it will most likely be ruled an accident.
"The popular and experienced sports judge was the victim of a tragic accident while carrying out his duties on Aug. 26," the association said on its website. "All of us who were there are horrified and in shock."
Though officials and participants follow safety rules, accidents do happen. French javelin thrower Salim Sadri was competing in the long jump at an IAAF Golden League in Rome in 2007 and was hit with a javelin that caused injures to his internal organs. A high schooler in California was injured after running into a javelin stuck in the ground in 2010.
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