Javelin throwers put so much strain on their throwing shoulder and elbow that their bodies often rebel. So it is no surprise that Brian Chaput tore the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and underwent Tommy John surgery in 2000. And 2005. And 2006.

If he stopped throwing, the elbow might feel normal again. But at 27, he still takes time off from his job as account manager of a healthcare communications company in Philadelphia and is trying to make the Olympic team. In 2004, he fell 6 feet short of qualifying for the United States trials. This time, he made it to Eugene, and on Friday evening he threw 249 feet 3 inches and qualified third for Sunday’s 12-man final.

Chaput is a 2004 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was an N.C.A.A. and three-time IC4A champion. Like other javelin throwers, he is addicted to the event, and the risk of further injury doesn’t bother him.

“This is surgery you can come back from,” he said, “but there’s always the risk of tearing it again.”

Can all those operations limit his mobility later in life?

“No, he said. “No one said they would.”

As if the elbow surgeries were not enough, he has another problem with his beaten-up body. In May, at a meet at Princeton, he tore a ligament in his right middle finger.

“I heard a pop,” he said. “I knew it was trouble. It hurts now when I throw and sometimes when I don’t throw. I have to wear a splint when I throw. I petitioned to allow the splint here and it was accepted.”

Full use of the finger may require another operation.

“After the Olympics,” he said in resignation, “we’ll talk about it.”

Breaux Greer, who won the national title all eight previous years, sympathized with Chaput.

“It’s a shame that has happened to someone with the talent level of Brian,” Greer said. “It’s one thing to throw 70 or 71 meters [229-8 or 232-11] because there’s no torque problem, but 90 meters [295-3] is something else. And he could throw it.”