A hammer thrown by a participant at an indoor high school track meet in Colorado Springs cleared safety barriers and struck a spectator, killing him on Sunday. The event was canceled after the incident. Wade Langston, 57, was identified as the victim by the El Paso County coroner’s office. He was also the father of one of the participants. At outdoor events like the Olympics, competitors spin in a circle to build momentum before releasing a lighter weight attached to a chain. Indoor events use a heavier weight attached to a grip and are contained within cages or netting. Hammer throws can travel over 200 feet outdoors but only about 90 feet indoors for high schoolers. The incident highlights the dangers of throwing events, with past injuries occurring even at elite levels. Javelins, while thrown farther, also pose significant risks due to their sharp tips. Even in professional settings like the Golden League in Rome, serious injuries have occurred from javelin strikes.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/27/sports/hammer-spectator-killed-colorado.html