An sports official was struck by a misthrown hammer during the Asian Games in Hangzhou, breaking his leg and causing major bleeding. However, a spokeswoman said on Sunday that the official's vital signs had stabilized after the event.
Just before 8 o'clock Saturday (1200 GMT), at the packed Olympic stadium in the eastern Chinese city, Kuwait's Ali Zankawi lined up for one of his throws in the men's hammer final.
But instead of landing directly on the outfield, the hammer flew out diagonally and low to the right, striking the seated technical official.
Zankawi ran over, horrified at his misthrow, as blood spurted from the official's right leg.
Before being safely taken on a stretcher to a neighboring hospital by medical staff, Zankawi quickly placed a tourniquet to stem the bleeding in Huang's thigh.
He was admitted to the hospital at 20:15, when a right open tibiofibular fracture was discovered, according to Games spokeswoman Xu Deqing. His vital indicators are steady right now.
According to a Reuters witness, Zankawi appeared frightened thereafter and was spotted looking for the official.
Wang Qi of China won the final, while Zankawi finished eighth but produced a season-best throw of 67.57 meters, which he made in the second round before misthrowing.
The referee had seated several meters away from the cage-like netting that encircles the throwing circle where the players spin and take their throws, as is customary in sporting tournaments.
However, the netting could only marginally deflect the hammer's flight—rather than halt it—due to the force and speed of the 7.26-kg (16-pound) flying metal ball.
In order to prevent misthrown discuses and hammer balls from coming back at the participants, sports netting is made to hang somewhat loosely.
On Sunday, the event was trending on the Chinese social networking site Weibo, where several people suggested that safety procedures be strengthened to provide better protection for authorities.
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