Horrified fans looked on as a misdirected javelin throw from Finland's Tero Pitkamaki embedded itself in the side of French long jumper Salim Sdiri as he waited to compete during an IAAF Golden League meeting.
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Impaled: French long-jumper Salim Sdiri
Amazingly, Sdiri was discharged from hospital yesterday, but former European champion Backley fears the effect on the sport could be devastating unless action is taken.
The Olympic silver medallist said: "My fear is the officials will look at this and ask if it is safe enough to hold in a Golden League, a Grand Prix, where there's a lot of people in the infield."
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Salim Sdiri is taken to hospital after being being impaled
A spokesman for UK Athletics insisted javelin in this country adheres to the strictest safety guidelines.
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