Track Problem or Georgian Luger Accident?
Olympic Fatal Accident Due to Track or Luger?
The International Luge Federation wants to blame Nodar Kumaritashvili (a Georgian Luger) for his accident and subsequent death during a practice session on the Whistler Sliding Center track.
Nodar was traveling at 90 mph - which is customary for this type of sport - when he lost control of the sled and became airborne at which time he struck a nearby pole, according to the Federation.
What a tragic death and how helpless those assisting or watching the training session must have felt.
Companies are usually one to look out for their self by playing the blame game and in this case I would say that is exactly what the International Luge Federation is doing. Nodar is not able to fight back because he didn't survive, which is wrong of the company to take advantage of that fact.
Did The Track Have Problems To Begin With?
If there was nothing wrong with the track as the federation claims then why the sudden need to make changes to it and especially changes in the curve areas that led to Nodar's death? Did you know that more than a dozen racers have crashed on this track?
"International Luge Federation (FIL) officials carried out their own probe, and following a physical inspection of the track concluded that the Georgian athlete was responsible for his fatal crash. The athlete came late out of curve 15 and did not compensate properly to make correct entrance into curve 16. This resulted in a late entrance into curve 16 and although the athlete worked to correct the problem he eventually lost control of the sled resulting in the tragic accident" (according to a statement found on the Vancouver 2010 site).
The FIL have made the following changes to the track: "changes to the ice profile and raising of the walls at the ext to turn 16." Sounds to me like there was a problem with the track and if the changes had been made before the training started it could have saved Mr. Nodar's life.
The company investigated the track after Nodar's death, but I think that the company should also be investigated in order to see if they already new or had suspicions about the track, but didn't check into it or fix the problems due to the financial cost.
I have a feeling that an investigation would find that they did know about it and therefore should be held responsible for Nodar's death. Click on the link to take a look at my other article, which is an update to this one and has a video: Georgian Luger Not The First To Crash.
What a tragic death for anyone to go through. And, how even more tragic to possibly have the facts surrounding ones death pushed under a rug in order to save a company from possible financial problems and/or a tarnished image and name.
Published by Meredith McCormick
Meredith is a certified Terminal Operator Coordinator (TAC) as well as a certified GCIC/NCIC Operator. She also holds certificates for FEMA 100, 200, 700, and 800. She has six years of Law Enforcement exp... View profile
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