Olympic Luger Dies During Training Crash

[belle&sebastiansmom]

Terrible tragedy right before the start of the games. I hate when I go to check my email and see this as breaking on Yahoo News:

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – An Olympic official with direct knowledge of the situation says a men's luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia has died after a crash during training. The official tells The Associated Press that the International Olympic Committee received confirmation of Nodar Kumaritashvili's death. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the 21-year-old luger's family hadn't been notified yet.

An official statement is to be released soon.

Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled near the finish Friday, went over the track wall and struck an unpadded steel pole near the finish line at Whistler Sliding Center.

 

[Jennasis]

Oh dear God....that's awful!

 

[belle&sebastiansmom]

There have apparently been two other crashes at the same venue this week. I read that it has the steepest decline, something like 152 feet.

 

[PeterPan09]

Oh, that is tragic. I think we forget sometimes that these young people are literally taking risks with their lives every time they compete. God rest his soul and God be with his family, friends and teammates.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

How tragic.

 

[minniebeth]

Prayers to his family...
May his spirit reign over others that his dreams were for nought...

 

[NotUrsula]

It's a terrible tragedy.

Let's hope the IOC takes immediate steps to put in some more safety padding in the area around that track.

 

[RadioNate]

That is just terrible news.

And I have to say that I'm sickened by the AP and Yahoo (who has in on their homepage complete with photo) publishing this when his family has not been notified. I know they are in Georgia (former USSR) but they could at least wait for the official announcement.

 

[happygirl]

Prayers going out to his family.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That is just terrible news.

And I have to say that I'm sickened by the AP and Yahoo (who has in on their homepage complete with photo) publishing this when his family has not been notified. I know they are in Georgia (former USSR) but they could at least wait for the official announcement.

They coudln't have printed it if the Olympic official didn't blab his big fat mouth.

HOLY CRAP--just clicked on CNN and I cannot believe they published this photo!!!!! Geez!!!! Nothing like the final milliseconds before death.

 

[wvjules]

They coudln't have printed it if the Olympic official didn't blab his big fat mouth.

HOLY CRAP--just clicked on CNN and I cannot believe they published this photo!!!!! Geez!!!! Nothing like the final milliseconds before death.

The actual video and pictures on Huffington post.

 

[RadioNate]

They coudln't have printed it if the Olympic official didn't blab his big fat mouth.

HOLY CRAP--just clicked on CNN and I cannot believe they published this photo!!!!! Geez!!!! Nothing like the final milliseconds before death.

Of course I had to go to CNN and look....I guess it is "official" now but it was up for at least 45 minutes before they knew that the family had been notified. Really, quit blabbing or ask for an embargo. Even if they don't, the news media should have the decency to wait until they know the kids family has been told. They do have internet in Georgia (even if it is like 1 am there.)

 

[autumnpalm]

The Toronto Star has the picture published on their home page. I think it is incredibly distasteful as well as disturbing.

My prayers are with the athlete's family. What a tragedy. I hope his soul is resting peacefully.

 

[Planogirl]

How sad.

I can't believe that there have been so many crashes already. They need to do something.

 

[OK!]

Good Lord. I just now got to see video of the crash. Absolutely horrifying.

What I want to know is why those steel support beams had absolutely no padding on them. I mean, this type of thing may be rare, but shouldn't the off chance that it COULD happen be enough to warrant the expense?

 

[happygirl]

It was the opening segment on the opening games on NBC it really is sad. I guess they have had several accidents already on that course.

 

[DawnCt1]

Good Lord. I just now got to see video of the crash. Absolutely horrifying.

What I want to know is why those steel support beams had absolutely no padding on them. I mean, this type of thing may be rare, but shouldn't the off chance that it COULD happen be enough to warrant the expense?

I am with you. Clearly there is something wrong with the run. Three crashes and the games haven't started. There is a young woman from our town competing in this event. I am hoping that she wins but I didn't think that I would have to pray for her safety.

 

[sparklynails23]

The track is too fast and too dangerous. I hope the danger/speed factor wasn't increased for the purpose of ratings. I don't think I'll watch the Olympics.