The high school track runner who was punched by another athlete mid-race wants to press charges ... and he could even end up filing a lawsuit, TMZ Sports has learned.
As we previously reported, the Osceola County Sheriff's Office claimed neither side wanted to move forward with pressing charges after the incident.
But, the Florida Firm's Nathan Carter, attorney for the punched runner, says that's not the case.
"The family has read reports that the OCSD claims [my client] refused to press charges," Carter said in a statement. "This is false."
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"The family of the victim did want to press charges for this vicious attack and assault caught on video and witnessed by hundreds of people. The OCSD deputy told the family that if [my client] pressed charges then he would also be arrested for battery."
"Only because of this threat did the family choose not to press charges."
Carter adds the runner suffered a concussion as a result of the incident ... and is "exploring civil remedies against all those responsible."
"If this event hired proper officials to help run this track meet, they could have prevented this," Carter added. "They could have prevented the CC athlete from standing on the track during the first turn. Or they could have moved the CC athlete after the first lap incident. Or they could have moved the CC athlete before the second lap incident. Or they could have stopped the CC athlete before he chased [my client] down and sucker-punched him."
"They had many opportunities to prevent this and failed to do so."