German sports official killed in javelin accident

The pointed end of a javelin. / AP

(AP) BERLIN - A German sports official died Monday a day after being struck in the throat by a javelin.

The 74-year-old man was officiating at a youth meet in the western city of Duesseldorf when the incident happened late Sunday, police spokesman Andre Hartwig said.

He was immediately taken to hospital but died of injuries early Monday, Hartwig said.

The local athletics association for Duesseldorf and Neuss identified the man as Dieter Strack.

"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."

Hartwig said that the 15-year-old athlete who threw the javelin was receiving psychological counseling.

Police have opened an investigation into the official's death, but initial indications were that it had been an accident, he added.

The competition in the Rath district of Duesseldorf was called off after the incident.

[john92021]

that's what a javelin was designed for. Nobody stands beside a target for firearms or archery.

[formerlyluvnut]

Oops.

[caljack430]

the sad thing is that this is not the first time a judge has been hit by a javelin, maybe its just my normal self-preservation instincts kicking in here... but why on earth do all the judges feel the need to stand so insanely close to where the javelin is landing? don't those things normally stick pretty solidly in the ground? i feel like you could just as accurately appraise its landing spot by walking out AFTER it is securely in the ground rather than watching it fall 2 feet from you... or through you as the case unfortunately may be.