To Nodar Kumaritashvilli...
A horrific demise at the Whistler Sliding Centre as Nodar Kumaritashvilli, 21, was making his final practise slide before the competition, died in a 90m/h fatal crash on the exit of the 16th corner, launching him over the rim and slammed into an unpadded steel pillar. .... Due to this, the course has been changed to be less dangerous. Does no one have the sane state of mind to have thought that perhaps something like this would have happened? That it just took the death of a young athlete to realize the dangers of certain sports.
As a result of this tradegy, the Canadian and Olympic flags were lowered to half mast. The Georgian NOC and it's athelet's wore black strips. As well, a black patch was placed on the Georgian flag. Discussions on the safety (speed) of the track came to follow...
No matter which way you look at it, the Luge is the most dangerous sport, so why would the speed of the track just simple be ignored? If they were already aware of the dangers of the track, they should have taken extra precautions so that this tragedy wouldn't have happened.
Is this how we will remember an athlete who took his life into his hands trying to represent his country in the Olympics? Is THIS all that we can expect? I, for one will be grossily disgusted at the end of the Olympics if there is no further remembrance for Kumaritashvilli.
As stated, "the 16th corner, the final curve of a high-speed labyrinth that has proved treacherous even for the world's top lugers." This track had already caused disputes for its speeds, so with that in mind, who the hell thought it was safe enough? By this, you'd think someone would have the sense to re-think that course before the competition ever started!
How safe do you feel in knowing that they had the knowledge of this danger, yet no one did anything about it? It makes you wonder what other possible tragedies people are aware of, yet won't tell anyone, or do anything to change it.
R.I.P. Nodar Kumaritashvilli 1988-2010.
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