Athletics: IAAF sympathises with javelin victim

Dieter Strack went to measure a throw but was speared through the throat as the javelin landed, and died in hospital.

PARIS: Athletics governing body, the IAAF, expressed sympathy towards the family of an official who died after being struck by a javelin during a youth meet in the German city of Duesseldorf. Dieter Strack, 74, went to measure a throw but was speared through the throat as the javelin landed, and died in hospital. “We feel very sad and we express our deepest sympathy for the family of the official, who, because of an unfortunate but obvious human error [according to witnesses at the scene] lost his life while offering his services to his favourite sport,” said the IAAF. After the accident, the meet in Duesseldorf was immediately cancelled.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 29^th, 2012.