PARIS, May 26: French long-jumper Salim Sdiri, who suffered a serious injury when he was hit by a javelin in Rome five years ago, is to sue the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Italian Athletics Federation.

Sdiri, the French long-jump record holder, was out of action for almost a year after Finland’s Tero Pitkamaki hit him in the back causing severe liver injury while he was warming up at the Rome Golden League event in 2007.

He told French radio RTL: “The time has come to bite. So we’re going to file the lawsuit next week.”

Sdiri recognised his move was also a way to close the darkest chapter in his career.

“It is still in my head,” he said. “I have nightmares. It’s a constant anxiety... I really want to put an end to all of this.” —Reuters