There has been a tragic death of an Olympic athlete at the Whistler Sliding Centre just days before the opening of the Vancouver Olympic Games. A luge athlete from the Republic of Georgia, Nodar Kumaritashvili, was killed in a crash while training on the Olympic track at the Whistler Sliding Center on February 12, 2010. His death was confirmed by an official at the track.
Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled near the end of his run. At the time he was moving at an estimated 88 miles an hour. The athlete was propelled over the track wall into a steel pole. The luge event can be terribly dangerous and lugers can reach incredibly fast speeds.
Training was immediately suspended on the track. Paramedics were at the athlete's side within minutes and emergency chest compressions were commenced. The athlete was air lifted to a trauma centre at Whistler.
Many competitors have already complained about the track. The athletes are saying the track is unsafe as it is too fast and too dangerous. There has yet been no official statement issued by the Vancouver Winter Olympics Committee.
No comments:
Post a Comment