The safety of the Whistler Sliding Centre has been called into question after the death of 21-year-old Nodar Kmaritashvilli
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Death calls into question Whistler luge track's safety
- February 12, 2010 6:06 PM |
- By Erin Valois
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The safety of the Whistler Sliding Centre has been called into question after Georgian luger Nodar Kmaritashvili lost his life in a fatal crash during a training run.
In runs earlier in the day, champion luger Armin Zoeggeler crashed during his first run. Tony Benshoof of the U.S. hurt his foot and Romania's Violet Stramaturaru fell so badly on Thursday she was knocked unconcious. And those were only the major collisions.
The Whistler track, which has a drop of 1,400 metres, is considered to be one of the world's fastest and its safety has always been an issue. As German Olympic champion Patric Leitner told Agence France-Presse, "This track allows no lapse in concentration."
Kmaritashvili fell off his sled and was projected over the lip of the course into a metal pole on the last bend of the track. He was transported to hospital by an air-rescue helicopter.
Benshoof told Reuters before the accident that he would not be surprised if a major crash occurred.
"Some of these guys have only been sliding two or three years whereas I've been sliding since my 21st year, that's a big experience gap," he said. "Yet it scares me every time I go down it. I think it's dangerous for the less experienced countries. I actually thought someone might get hurt in Turin but thankfully everybody walked away."
Luge training has been suspended. Officals tell AFP that Georgia will march in Friday night's opening ceremony.
About the Author
- Bruce Arthur Bruce Arthur is the National Post's national sports columnist. A Vancouver native, he has been with the Post since 2001, and a columnist since 2005. He is covering his second Olympics, after the 2008 Games in Beijing. He expects these Games to be slightly less propagandistic, and for China to win slightly fewer medals.
- Joe O'Connor Joe O'Connor is a roving sports feature writer with an open-ended beat. He joined the National Post in 2002, and has spent the past seven years bouncing from sport to sport, offering fresh perspectives and delivering unique stories wherever he goes. Whether it has been getting Don Cherry to open up about his love life; George Chuvalo to talk about heartbreaking loss; or racing down the side of a mountain with former Crazy Canuck, Dave Irwin, the veteran Postie chases a story wherever it leads. Before joining the newspaper he was a two-time silver medalist at the National Magazine Awards. Vancouver will be his first Olympics.
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