Hangzhou 2022 have revealed that the 62-year-old man, named as Huang Qinghua, had suffered a "tibiofibular fracture" and was in a "stable condition" in hospital.

The incident occurred during yesterday’s men’s hammer throw competition staged at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

Kuwait’s Ali Zankawi looked to launch the hammer only to let it hit the protective netting surrounding the throwing circle.

The hammer then struck the right leg of Huang who was situated on a chair outside the circle.

After being carried out to a stretcher, Huang was taken to hospital where he underwent surgery.

According to Agence France Presse (AFP), Zankawi has since visited Huang at hospital where he apologised.

Zankawi said he came to Huang’s aid as soon as he realised what happened.

"I raised my head and discovered that the hammer had bounced from the ground to the official's leg, so I quickly ran to him and tried to help him, especially since he was in a state of shock and writhing in pain," Zankawi told AFP.

"After I got to him, I discovered a slit in his trousers and saw blood pouring from the leg, and I knew it was broken.

"Then I tied it tightly to stop the bleeding until the ambulance arrived, so I helped them by putting him on an ambulance stretcher to transport him to hospital.

"Thank god the hammer hit the ground before it hit his leg."

Zankawi, who claimed hammer throw silver at Doha 2006, ranked eighth in yesterday’s final, with China’s Wang Qi crowned champion after throwing 72.97 metres.