WMA prez promises: No javelin injuries at Riccione
WMA President Cesare Beccalli and other Italian masters officials, perhaps sensing a publicity opportunity by piggybacking a widely seen story, are quoted in a Reuters report as promising that the javelin events at Riccione will be separated from track events. So no geezer-spearing allowed at worlds. But no word about other implements? What an outrage! This year we lost an M70 thrower to an errant discus — and Prez Beccalli doesn’t say a thing about the dangers of disci! Or the hammer or shot. Shouldn’t all these hyperdangerous events be banned to distant fields! And don’t allow spectators either! Fences and screens fail! In fact, ban all throwing events. We’re talking about the health and safety of our parents and grandparents!
Here’s the story, in case the link goes bye-bye:
MILAN, July 17 (Reuters) — Italian officials said on Tuesday that javelin throwing would be kept away from the track during the Masters athletics world championships in September, which will include competitors up to 90 years old.
French long jumper Salim Sdiri was speared by a flying javelin during the Golden League meeting in Rome on Friday after Finnish thrower Tero Pitkamaki slipped at the end of his run-up.
Sdiri’s injuries are not life-threatening and doctors do not believe he needs surgery but authorities in Riccione on Italy’s east coast are taking no chances with the Sept. 4-15 meeting which is for athletes over 35, including several senior citizens.
“The fields for throwing events are outside of the tracks,” Daniele Imola, president of the organising committee and Riccione mayor, told reporters.
Cesare Beccalli, president of World Masters Athletics, added: “There are even people of 85 or 90. It is important that almost all are well prepared and accidents are rare.”
3 Responses
After I wrote the above, I was reminded that the two main stadia being used for worlds have synthetic infields — so they weren’t gonna be used for javelin in any case.
So why would the Italian officials make a big whoop about the javelin being kept away from track events?
Makes them heroes!
Politicians — ya gotta love ’em.
So wait a minute: “no geezer-spearing allowed at worlds.” Where’d you get that from?
RUNNING is actually pretty dangerous, too- consider the incidents of athletes dying from a heart attack while out running.
Just be alert, and keep your eye on the thrower when you are near the throwing areas at all times; in fact, the attention and scrutiny might be a welcome advantage, since throwers get left out of the main stadia all too often….
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