'Pay attention': Distracted official nearly speared in women's javelin final
Japan's Haruka Kitaguchi won gold in the women's javelin at Paris 2024 with a throw of 65.8m.
South African Jo-Ane van Dyk was second with 63.93, but it almost came at a cost for an official, who was almost speared by her throw.
The official was distracted watching the men's high jump final when the spear landed barely a metre from her foot. You can watch how close it was in the player above.
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"She was watching the high jump, which is going off," Australian pole vault legend Steve Hooker said in commentary for Nine.
South African javelin thrower Jo-Ane van Dyk reacts after nearly spearing a distracted official in the women's javelin final. Nine
"I was at a competition in Rome one day where Tero Pitkämäki, the Finnish thrower, speared a long jumper standing on the infield, so it can happen.
"You've got to pay attention when there are spears flying through the air."
Australia's Kathryn Mitchell finished seventh in this event. Mackenzie Little was 12th.
Watch every moment, every medal of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event streaming ad free, live and on demand with 4K on Stan Sport.
It was the 42-year-old Mitchell's fourth consecutive top-eight finish at an Olympics javelin final, and threw a best of 62.63m.
She finished eighth on her Olympic debut back in London, and finished sixth in Rio and Tokyo.
Little's opening throw of 60.32m proved to be her best, and she was unable to improve.
