A tragic accident occurred on Sunday morning at the University of Colorado's Colorado Springs campus, where a man was fatally struck by a hammer during a youth track and field meet.
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The hammer, thrown during the hammer throw event, cleared certified safety barriers before hitting the man. According to the university, the incident occurred as the man attempted to shield his wife and son from the flying object. Despite efforts to assist him, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The identity of the deceased man has not been released, but reports indicate he was the father of a competitor from the Colorado United Track Club, which organized the event for high school athletes from around the state.
The university expressed its sorrow over the tragedy, with Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet offering condolences in a statement.
"We are heartbroken at this horrible accident and are focused on supporting all involved," Sobanet said.
This incident is part of a rare but tragic history of fatalities at track and field events. In 2017, a similar accident occurred at Wheaton College in Illinois, where a student was killed during a college track and field meet when a hammer was thrown off course.
In 2005, an officiant was killed by a shot put ball during practice at the U.S. Track and Field Championships in Los Angeles.
While track and field events are generally safe, such accidents remain infrequent but serve as stark reminders of the inherent risks in sports. Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident, and support is being offered to the family and all those affected.
