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Georgia track athlete runs backwards into stationary javelin

The runner is expected to make a full recovery following the freak accident

Elija Godwin, a freshman 400m and 200m sprinter at the University of Georgia, ran into a javelin and punctured his lung on Tuesday according to The Mason Telegraph.

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He was doing backwards strides when he impaled himself on a stationary javelin sitting on a rack. The javelin went through his back to puncture his lung. Godwin was rushed to the hospital but according to CBS46, he underwent surgery and is expected to make a full recovery.

The runner won silver with his 4x400m relay team at the World Junior Championships in 2018 and has personal bests of 20.59 for the 200m and 45.83 for the 400m. Those times place him among the fastest junior sprinters in the world.

RELATED: Canada sets new U20 record in 4x400m final at World Junior Championships

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The university said in a statement on Wednesday, “We would like to express appreciation for all those who acted so quickly and efficiently in coming to the aid of Elija. Special thanks to our sports medicine staff, UGA Police Department, Athens-Clarke County Fire-Rescue, National EMS, and Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center.”

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