New Delhi: Javelin world champion Anderson Peters has received treatment for minor injuries sustained earlier this week after being assaulted and thrown off a party boat in Grenada.
“While (Grenada Police) did not give details about the incident, videos circulating on social media show crew members assaulting Peters and then throwing him into the water,” the South Florida-based Caribbean National Weekly reported Thursday, adding that the incident on the party boat, Harbour Master, took place amid carnival celebrations in the Caribbean island nation’s capital, St George’s.
On Friday, Grenada Police confirmed the arrest of six Trinidadian nationals in connection with the incident. Of the six accused, five were charged on counts of grievous harm and stealing as well as assaulting Peters’ brother Kiddon, while the sixth was charged with assaulting Peters.
“All the accused individuals are scheduled to appear in court on Monday, 15 August…The men will remain in police custody until their appearance before the magistrate,” the Office of Commissioner of Police said in a press release, which was tweeted by journalist and Caribbean National Weekly contributor Anselm Gibbs.
News of the incident drew condemnation from fans of Peters, Grenadians including their Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell and the country’s Olympic Committee.
“As a government, we unequivocally condemn the violence of any kind and call on all citizens and visitors to maintain a posture of respect to differing perspectives and to opt for rational debate over extreme behavior,” Mitchell had said.
Born on 21 October 1997, Peters is a frequent competitor to India’s javelin star and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Neeraj Chopra. The Grenadian javelin thrower and his Indian rival took the top two positions at this year’s World Athletics Championships in Oregon. Peters defended his title with a throw of 90.54 metre while Chopra came second with 88.13 metre.
After Chopra missed out on the Birmingham Commonwealth Games due to injury, Peters paid tribute to his competitor on social media. He continued his good form in Birmingham, reaching the pole position at one point with a throw of 88.64 metre. He took the silver after Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem made a Games Record at 90.18 metre in his fifth throw.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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