ROME, July 15, 2007 (AFP) - French long jumper Salim Sdiri, who was speared by a javelin in a freak accident at the Rome Golden League meeting on Friday, returned to hospital on Sunday to have checks on a haematoma, Italian news agency ANSA reported.
The 28-year-old, a bronze medallist at the 2007 European indoor championships, was discharged from the Gemelli clinic on Saturday and went back to his hotel to rest.
But Sdiri returned to the clinic on Sunday morning after a blood clot developed on his right side where the javelin entered him.
The javelin which hit Sdiri at the Olympic stadium was launched by Finland’s Tero Pitkamaki.
Sdiri is now doubtful to compete in the world championships in Osaka, Japan starting on August 25.
Friday’s incident was not the first time such an accident had occured.
In January, former Olympic decathlon champion Roman Sebrle was hit in the right shoulder by a javelin thrown during a training session in South Africa.
The Czech decathlete was told that he had ‘escaped death by 20cm’.
no wonder jumpers and throwers never get along…
ROME, July 16, 2007 (AFP) - French long jumper Salim Sdiri, who was speared by a javelin in a freak accident at the Rome Golden League meeting on Friday, is more seriously injured than at first thought, he told AFP on Monday.
The javelin touched the right kidney and there is a slight tear at the top of the kidney. The liver was also touched leaving a hole in it. The javelin penetrated over ten centimetres and not four as we initially thought,’’ said the Frenchman who underwent new tests on Monday in a hospital in Rome.
Sdiri, a bronze medallist at the 2007 European Indoor Championships, added: The kidney has started to heal over and surgery will not be neccessary. We hope that the liver will also heal on its own ruling out an operation.'' To avoid additional bleeding which could be provoked by travel Sdiri has been advised to stay in Rome until the end of the week. The javelin which hit the athlete at the Olympic stadium was launched by Finland's Tero Pitkamaki. When asked about the lack of security measure in the stadium Sdiri said: I want to hold judgement on that for the moment.’’
The 28-year-old admitted that he had been ill at ease because the men’s javelin and long jump events were taking place at the same time.
I had my worries. We had begun our competition and the javelin throwers were warming up,'' Sdiri said. The javelins were falling not too far from our area and I saw one landing near my foot. I couldn’t really see it arriving as my back was to it.’’
Friday’s incident was not the first time such an accident had occured.
In January, former Olympic decathlon champion Roman Sebrle was hit in the right shoulder by a javelin thrown during a training session in South Africa.
The Czech decathlete was told that he had 'escaped death by 20cm.