olympian killed in luge run

[Tambourine Man]

I knew those guys were putting up some huge speed numbers, but I had no idea that 90 mph is the norm. That's terrifying.

[cards2468]

wow, what a chilling video, I really can't believe they're showing it on CNN along with pictures of him covered in blood receiving CPR... hardcore put a damper on happy hour at the bar

[in5in06]

Is it me, or does it sound like he knew he was in trouble before the last turn? I believe they have small spikes on their gloves to give them extra momentum at the start, and I think you can hear said spikes dragging the ice. Maybe it's just me, but that's what it sounds like.

Very sad.

[Lesson]

Is it me, or does it sound like he knew he was in trouble before the last turn? I believe they have small spikes on their gloves to give them extra momentum at the start, and I think you can hear said spikes dragging the ice. Maybe it's just me, but that's what it sounds like.

Very sad.

I saw the video to see if that happened and it looks his hand came down on the last turn. This is very sad.

[tscards]

While very sad (and yes I'm sick of CNN showing the picture), let's not have it talked about EVERY FRICKIN' day of the olympics!! Media coverage of this is sickening!

On with the games!!

[Socnorb11]

While very sad (and yes I'm sick of CNN showing the picture), let's not have it talked about EVERY FRICKIN' day of the olympics!! Media coverage of this is sickening!

On with the games!!

Sickening? It just happened YESTERDAY! A guy died. It's news. Sad news, but news nontheless. I think it would be more disrespectful to not cover it.

[Freed Roger]

I'm generally not a risk-averse person, and flying down on a little sled at 90 mph + is fine if you are so inclined, hell I like sled riding myself. But as a competitive sport it seems ridiculous.

Someone can probably dig up stats that its safer than football or driving down a freeway. But when the competition is centered around speed, and there's hardly any protection - it just seems dumb.

[stlouie_lipp]

nice...let's blame the guy who just died. Awesome.

The International Luge Federation has blamed the crash on the luger and not on any "deficiencies in the track," saying that Mr. Kumaritashvili "did not compensate properly to make the correct entrance" into the curve where he slid off the track at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... l_olympics

[Jocephus]

nice...let's blame the guy who just died. Awesome.

The International Luge Federation has blamed the crash on the luger and not on any "deficiencies in the track," saying that Mr. Kumaritashvili "did not compensate properly to make the correct entrance" into the curve where he slid off the track at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... l_olympics

yeah, thats pretty bad...also, apparently the luger called his dad saying that he was terrified of the track

[Arthur Dent]

The shortened safer track kinda sucks, though.