French long-jumper Salim Sdiri was rushed to hospital after being speared by a javelin thrown by Finland's Tero Pitkamaki at the IAAF Golden League meeting in Rome.
The accident occurred in the third round of the javelin when Pitkamaki, challenging to defend his Golden Jackpot title, saw his throw veer to the left.
Leaving the throwing arcs it hit the 28-year-old Frenchman, who was lying fourth in his competition, in his right side in the area of his ribcage..
An ambulance arrived and the 2004 Olympic finalist taken to the meeting's media mix zone where 15 minutes after the incident he was on a drip and receiving urgent medical treatment.
Doctors were trying to stop the bleeding before taking him to hospital and it is understood his condition is not life-threatening although there has been no official statement from the meeting organisation.
