This is Why I Don’t Trust My Grandma with a Javelin
Did you ever imagine your grandparents could be running around a track, throwing a javelin, or making the long jump with a better distance than you? In Italy, the Masters Athletic World Championships allows competitors who are up to age 90 to participate in the competition. My grandparents are both in their 80s, and I don’t know about you, but I don’t think Gramps could run the 100 meter let alone compete at the long jump. Breaking your hip starts to limit your mobility and all.
Yet, we have 85 and 90 year old competitors in the Masters and some of them are pretty dangerous. In fact, if you do not watch out for them, they might hit you with their javelins! The Masters Athletics World Championships are held in September, so competitors are gearing up, preparing to wow the audience and competition judges with their performances. However, one javelin thrower took things too far during a meeting of the Golden League in Rome.
Last Friday, an accident occurred when Tero Pitkamaki, a Finnish thrower, slipped during his run up, and speared a long jumper with his javelin. This has prompted officials of the Masters Athletic World Championships to confirm that the javelin will not be held too close to any other competition on the track this year.
The victim of the javelin throw was a French long jumper by the name of Salim Sdiri. While injuries are not life threatening from the spearing, the authorities for the competition, which is open to all competitors between the ages of 35 and 90 (and often features senior citizens), are taking no chances by ensuring this does not happen again. They’ve decided to make the javelin throwing participants throw outside the track to avoid another unwanted collision.
The 17th WMA World Championships will be held from September 4-15, 2007 in Riccione, which is located on the East Coast of Italy. If you happen to attend, make sure to watch out for flying javelins.
Golden League, World Masters Athletics, WMA, Masters Athletic World Championships, Seniors, Italy, Javelin, Accident
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