Georgian Luger killed in practice run

http://www.ctvolympics.ca/luge/news/newsid=39315.html

Just awful. 21-years old and made it this far and dies as a result of injuries from going over the track and hitting a pole.

Horrific incident, will be tough to see how the IOC handles the ceremonies.

Yeah thats Diddled

This track has been a frigging nightmare for everyone so far.

They showed his crash on the news before he had died, and it was horrible to watch.

Since the can't modify the track very much the should just pull the Luge, Bobsled and skeleton races from the olympics this year or someone else is going to get crippled or even killed.

This is the worst way to start these olympics

It seems that the Olympics have been off to a bad start for sure - the bad weather causing skiers to possibly not qualify for the Olympics, and this?

Dash wrote:It seems that the Olympics have been off to a bad start for sure - the bad weather causing skiers to possibly not qualify for the Olympics, and this?

Yeah, it seems like everything was building to something like this happening

Horrific. I saw the video (its on ctv olympics webpage) and he went headfirst I think and was unconscious. Very very tragic, I think the Luge event might now happen. I'm quite angry that they didn't have any netting or covering of some sort to withstand that.

worst possible way to start the olympics. all good feelings from the excitement are gone

Michallica wrote:Horrific. I saw the video (its on ctv olympics webpage) and he went headfirst I think and was unconscious. Very very tragic, I think the Luge event might now happen. I'm quite angry that they didn't have any netting or covering of some sort to withstand that.

worst possible way to start the olympics. all good feelings from the excitement are gone

Yeah the sliders were hiting 150kph and 5.0 g-force. That's insane. That's equal to the G-forces F-1 cars hit.

I'm sure the excitement will return but yeah for now, it's hard to get excitied even for the Hockey games.

Well they could have had padded steel poles too....I don't know, its easy to criticize after something so tragic takes place. Still, this seems like it could have been avoided.

I'm speechless.

Michallica wrote:Well they could have had padded steel poles too....I don't know, its easy to criticize after something so tragic takes place. Still, this seems like it could have been avoided.

I'm not sure padding would do anything at the speed...couldn't hurt to try thats for sure.

My wife's in whistler right now. I'm sure the whole place must be inside out.

TheAvatar wrote:My wife's in whistler right now. I'm sure the whole place must be inside out.

Yikes. Certainly casts a big shadow on the opening of the games. Interesting to see what happens with the Luge event all together.

The Georgian Olympic team is considering withdrawing from the not only the opening ceremonies but the entire Olympics.

Apparently only 8 athletes from Georgia were sent to the Olympics.

M_Christopher wrote:The Georgian Olympic team is considering withdrawing from the not only the opening ceremonies but the entire Olympics.

Apparently only 8 athletes from Georgia were sent to the Olympics.

Sadly now only 7.

That breaks your heart. I really hope they don't withdraw, but I wouldn't blame them one bit.

Terrible new... Always sad to hear these things even if you dont know them.... I feel for his family and team.