Incident at the JLN Stadium
Two foreign coaches and a security guard were bitten by stray dogs on Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium warm up area during the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi. India is hosting the event for the first time, and the attacks raised questions about the safety of athletes and staff at a high profile international meet.
Timeline and injuries
According to a medical incidence report, the incident involving a Japanese fencing coach occurred at 9:18 am when the coach was seated on the warm up track supervising an athlete. The dog bite was a deep laceration on the left calf and required cleaning, dressing, and subsequent anti rabies management. The coach was referred to the anti rabies clinic at Safdarjung hospital for vaccination and further care, including immunoglobulin and tetanus treatment. A Kenyan sprint coach was bitten at 9:42 am while assisting a para athlete during a 200 m warm up. The bite was smaller but required medical attention and adherence to anti rabies protocols. A security guard at a stadium entrance gate was attacked within the same half hour, underscoring the rapid escalation of the situation.
Prevailing concerns and immediate response
Locals indicate that this was the fifth dog bite incident at the JLN stadium during the championships. Earlier attacks involved security staff volunteers and stadium officials who were bitten in similar circumstances. The WPAC Local Organising Committee noted that some individuals feeding stray dogs near the venue had allowed animals to re-enter despite prior clearance. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi had stationed dog catching vehicles at the stadium from day one to ensure prompt response to any animal encounter. The committee stated that the premises had been sanitized and preventive measures were strengthened to allow the event to continue with minimal disruption.
Organisers actions and public health context
On August 21, the LOC formally requested the MCD to safeguard the JLN stadium by removing stray dogs from the vicinity. While authorities cleared the site before the championships began, persistent feeding near the venue led to dog re-entry. The organisers reiterated their commitment to athlete safety and said they would continue to coordinate with civic agencies to prevent a recurrence. The broader public health context in India includes 37.17 lakh dog bite cases in 2024, with rabies deaths in 2022 reported by the WHO at 305, underscoring the ongoing risk of dog bites in crowded urban settings.
What this means for WPAC and future events
Officials emphasise that athlete safety remains the top priority. The WPAC leadership pledged on site medical facilities, rapid vaccination protocols, and vigilant animal-control operations during the remainder of the championships. Public guidance asks spectators and staff to avoid feeding stray dogs near venues and to promptly report any animal presence to authorities. As the event progresses, the focus is on maintaining a secure environment that safeguards both competition and inspiration for para athletes from around the world.
Follow our ongoing coverage for updates on safety measures and the WPAC schedule.
