Training crash kills Olympic luge competitor

goof2 · 02-12-2010, 03:55 PM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- A men's luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia died Friday after a crash during training, an Olympic official with direct knowledge of the situation said.

The death cast a shocking pall over the Vancouver Olympics hours before the opening ceremony.

The official told 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.

There was no immediate comment from Vancouver organizers, international luge officials or the International Olympic Committee. At the Whistler track, officials said the IOC and VANOC were preparing a joint statement to be released Friday afternoon.

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

Rescue workers were at his side within seconds, chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation started less than one minute after the crash, and he was quickly airlifted to a trauma center in Whistler.

Kumaritashvili struck the inside wall of the track on the final turn. His body immediately went airborne and cleared the ice-coated concrete wall along the left side of the sliding surface. His sled remained in the track, and it appeared his helmet visor skidded down the ice.

"It's a very rare situation," three-time Olympic champion and German coach Georg Hackl said before news of Kumaritashvili's death broke, clearly shaken moments after seeing Kumaritashvili tended to furiously by medical officials.

Olympic competition in men's luge is scheduled to begin Saturday. It's unclear if that schedule would be affected.

It was unclear how fast Kumaritashvili was going, although many sliders have exceeded 90 mph on this course. The track is considered the world's fastest and several Olympians recently questioned its safety. More than a dozen athletes have crashed during Olympic training for luge, and some questioned whether athletes from smaller nations -- like Georgia -- had enough time to prepare for the daunting track.

At the finish area, not far from where Kumaritashvili lost control, athletes, coaches and officials solemnly awaited word on Kumaritashvili before eventually being ushered away. Access to the crash area was closed within about 30 minutes.

"I've never seen anything like that," said Shiva Keshavan, a four-time Olympian from India.

The remainder of men's training was canceled for the day, with VANOC officials saying in a release that an investigation was taking place to "ensure a safe field of play."

Kumaritashvili competed in five World Cup races this season, finishing 44th in the world standings.

Earlier in the day, gold-medal favorite Armin Zoeggeler of Italy crashed, losing control of his sled on Curve 11. Zoeggeler came off his sled and held it with his left arm to keep it from smashing atop his body. He slid on his back down several curves before coming to a stop and walking away.

Training days in Whistler have been crash-filled. A Romanian woman was briefly knocked unconscious and at least four Americans -- Chris Mazdzer on Wednesday, Megan Sweeney on Thursday and both Tony Benshoof and Bengt Walden on Friday in the same training session where Zoeggeler wrecked -- have had serious trouble just getting down the track.

"I think they are pushing it a little too much," Australia's Hannah Campbell-Pegg said Thursday night after she nearly lost control in training. "To what extent are we just little lemmings that they just throw down a track and we're crash-test dummies? I mean, this is our lives."

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

Apoc · 02-12-2010, 04:02 PM

Ouch..

Cant wait to see the opening ceremo0nies though. Wish I coulda been there.

Dave · 02-12-2010, 04:14 PM

yikes. Are they doing skeleton this year? Gotta be real hairy for those guys

Avatard · 02-12-2010, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apoc

Ouch..

I actually said that very thing aloud as I read.

smileyman · 02-12-2010, 04:49 PM

God Speed! If it can't kill ya it aint a sport. Still I wonder if the Olympic committee has considered air fence?

RedRider2k2 · 02-12-2010, 05:44 PM

The video of it was pretty shocking. At the time they were still saying they did not know anything about his condition...But you just knew when he hit, it was over.

Porkchop · 02-12-2010, 05:45 PM

I heard its the fastest course in the world.

At this point, is your life worth it for a piece of gold?

smileyman · 02-12-2010, 06:03 PM

WTF? Is your life worth Gold? I have risked more for a piece of particle board and chromed plastic. I have a wonderful friend paralyzed for life chasing the glory of an AMA career. This is the price of commitment that he no doubt understood fully.

goof2 · 02-12-2010, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porkchop

I heard its the fastest course in the world.

At this point, is your life worth it for a piece of gold?

People have willingly risked their lives for a lot less.

goof2 · 02-12-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smileyman

WTF? Is your life worth Gold? I have risked more for a piece of particle board and chromed plastic. I have a wonderful friend paralyzed for life chasing the glory of an AMA career. This is the price of commitment that he no doubt understood fully.

Posted while I was typing, but I agree. To your earlier question, they are reviewing the course now and I wouldn't be surprized if there was airfence or something similar put up in a few locations.

02-12-2010, 03:55 PM	#1
goof2 AMA Supersport Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,756	Training crash kills Olympic luge competitor VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- A men's luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia died Friday after a crash during training, an Olympic official with direct knowledge of the situation said. The death cast a shocking pall over the Vancouver Olympics hours before the opening ceremony. The official told 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. There was no immediate comment from Vancouver organizers, international luge officials or the International Olympic Committee. At the Whistler track, officials said the IOC and VANOC were preparing a joint statement to be released Friday afternoon. Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled, went over the track wall and struck an unpadded steel pole near the finish line at Whistler Sliding Center. Rescue workers were at his side within seconds, chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation started less than one minute after the crash, and he was quickly airlifted to a trauma center in Whistler. Kumaritashvili struck the inside wall of the track on the final turn. His body immediately went airborne and cleared the ice-coated concrete wall along the left side of the sliding surface. His sled remained in the track, and it appeared his helmet visor skidded down the ice. "It's a very rare situation," three-time Olympic champion and German coach Georg Hackl said before news of Kumaritashvili's death broke, clearly shaken moments after seeing Kumaritashvili tended to furiously by medical officials. Olympic competition in men's luge is scheduled to begin Saturday. It's unclear if that schedule would be affected. It was unclear how fast Kumaritashvili was going, although many sliders have exceeded 90 mph on this course. The track is considered the world's fastest and several Olympians recently questioned its safety. More than a dozen athletes have crashed during Olympic training for luge, and some questioned whether athletes from smaller nations -- like Georgia -- had enough time to prepare for the daunting track. At the finish area, not far from where Kumaritashvili lost control, athletes, coaches and officials solemnly awaited word on Kumaritashvili before eventually being ushered away. Access to the crash area was closed within about 30 minutes. "I've never seen anything like that," said Shiva Keshavan, a four-time Olympian from India. The remainder of men's training was canceled for the day, with VANOC officials saying in a release that an investigation was taking place to "ensure a safe field of play." Kumaritashvili competed in five World Cup races this season, finishing 44th in the world standings. Earlier in the day, gold-medal favorite Armin Zoeggeler of Italy crashed, losing control of his sled on Curve 11. Zoeggeler came off his sled and held it with his left arm to keep it from smashing atop his body. He slid on his back down several curves before coming to a stop and walking away. Training days in Whistler have been crash-filled. A Romanian woman was briefly knocked unconscious and at least four Americans -- Chris Mazdzer on Wednesday, Megan Sweeney on Thursday and both Tony Benshoof and Bengt Walden on Friday in the same training session where Zoeggeler wrecked -- have had serious trouble just getting down the track. "I think they are pushing it a little too much," Australia's Hannah Campbell-Pegg said Thursday night after she nearly lost control in training. "To what extent are we just little lemmings that they just throw down a track and we're crash-test dummies? I mean, this is our lives." Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

02-12-2010, 04:02 PM	#2
Apoc For Science. You Monster. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Moto: '08 HD FLSTSB Posts: 3,546	Ouch.. Cant wait to see the opening ceremo0nies though. Wish I coulda been there. __________________ Android OS causes gay. Dont let your child use Android (unless she's a hot female). And dont let your babies grow up to be cowboys, either.

02-12-2010, 04:49 PM	#5
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	God Speed! If it can't kill ya it aint a sport. Still I wonder if the Olympic committee has considered air fence? __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

02-12-2010, 05:44 PM	#6
RedRider2k2 Holier Than Thou Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: N.B, Canada Moto: 06 ZX10R, 18 400 Ninja, 11 KLX250s Posts: 463	The video of it was pretty shocking. At the time they were still saying they did not know anything about his condition...But you just knew when he hit, it was over. __________________ Good judgement is the product of experience...Experience is the product of bad judgement. Sometimes The Faster It Gets, The Less You Need To Know. But You Gotta Remember The Smarter It Gets, The Furthur It's Gonna Go.

02-12-2010, 05:45 PM	#7
Porkchop 125GP Champion Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Worthington, OH Moto: Empty Garage Posts: 3,418	I heard its the fastest course in the world. At this point, is your life worth it for a piece of gold? __________________ *Coming soon? 2010 Ducati Monster 696 - Sold 1984 Honda VF500F - Sold 1999 Yamaha R6 - Sold

02-12-2010, 04:14 PM	#3
Dave Chaotic Neutral Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Moto: GV1200 Madura, Hawk gt Posts: 13,992	yikes. Are they doing skeleton this year? Gotta be real hairy for those guys

02-12-2010, 06:03 PM	#8
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	WTF? Is your life worth Gold? I have risked more for a piece of particle board and chromed plastic. I have a wonderful friend paralyzed for life chasing the glory of an AMA career. This is the price of commitment that he no doubt understood fully. __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!