Nodar Kumaritashvili went to Vancouver to compete for his country and his comrades, not to start a controversy. Even as his Georgian teammates solemnly took part in the opening ceremonies, the “official” blame game was going on behind the cameras. When Nodar left the course at 90 mph with the finish line in sight, I am more than sure he realized he had miscalculated, but now minute calculation is being blamed for his death rather than possible miscalculation on the part of Whistler’s designers. Shifting blame like this is the absolute worst PR nightmare of the young Century.
One thing seems clear to me as a long time observer of Olympic and other sports. Maybe even the most important thing really. Something we used to call “home court advantage” played a part in the luge accident that took this young man’s life. Let’s look at this objectively. The International Luge Federation (FIL) stated that Kumaritashvili’s death was not caused by an unsafe track. FIL president Josef Fendt said earlier the track was too fast and the design was ill planned. Okay, so they don’t know. They did not reason before that every luge competitor in the Olympics would not be in the top of the class? That every competitor would not have months and months to practice like the Canadians who played such a big part in approving the track? Not every competitor would survive, as Lueders of Canada commented; “It is definitely the fastest in the world, and this is what makes it so difficult?”
It is more than ironic that maybe the world’s best competitor, Germany’s Felix Loch, not only recorded the fastest time and speed ever on this run (153.98 km/h – 95.68 mph), but was also one of those injured in early runs on the course. Later he, Germany’s Josef Fendt, and many others expresses concern over Whistler’s safety because of top speeds. But, that’s not the least of it.
I mentioned the “home field advantage”, and apparently Canada heard this rumor before too. A training restriction was set in place on 31 December 2009, which allowed only Canadian competitors and some from developing nations to train on Whistler? On top of this, Team Canada decided not to compete in the World Cup event in Lillehammer in favor of training at Whistler? At least this is how the reports read. The reader needs to understand that these luge runs are tweaked like fine racing engines to obtain optimal performance, and supposedly safety. Maybe you can spot a potential for disaster in some of this information. But suffice it to say, on the fastest and potentially most dangerous luge course in the world, Team Canada, and the home country had a log to gain from tweaking or whatever else went on before Saturday.
Turn 16 at Whistler, the competitor's view
Now a young athlete with high hopes is being cast as some sort of incompetent while even the world’s best stood to fly off into space in a fraction of a second? This is the world we live in. My question does not have so much to do with the speed luge competitors long for, but with a little piece of simple logic some engineer or Olympic rocket scientist might have foreseen. Verticle steel support beams, unprotected, at the end of the fastest incline on the track, on the wrong side of the curve? Am I stupid or does physics not teach us about trajectories? The designers of Whistler may as well have put the last turn next to a meat grinder.
Well, in their infinite wisdom, the bureaucracy has seen fit to put speed precautions in place, a sort of “taming of Whistler”, if you will. Sort of too late for Nodar Kumaritashvili. We send out our condolences to his friends, family and teammates. It is not a pleasurable thing to write such criticisms at a time like this. Half the Internet is looking for video of this horrible accident, for God knows what reason – morbid curiosity I suppose. As for the wisdom of the Olympic people responsible for such things? Please do not re-tell us that luge is dangerous, or especially not that this young man made a mistake. He was killed on your run, on your watch. At least own up.
May God keep and protect you Nodar
About Phil Butler
Phil Butler,
Yours is an excellent story, “Dedicated to Nodar Kumaritashvili.” I I am greatly disturbed and sad over this unnecessary, tragic event.
My deepest sympathy goes to Nodar’s family, friends and countrymen of Georgia.
Nodar will never be forgotten. I will probably forget who won some of the Olympic medals, but I will never forget the young man who wanted to make his family and country proud.
Despite Nodar’s concerns about the severe curves on the luge course, he was too dedicated and brave to consider withdrawing. He is an example to the world as a real Olympian. I can see why Nodar was respected as a favorite son of Georgia.
I agree with his uncle and coach, Felix Kumaritashvili, that Nodar’s tragedy, and resulting luge course modifications, saved the lives of others. If the luge athlete who died had been from Canada, I think it would have been handled in a more respectful way by the IOC. Although,the opening and closing ceremonies paid tribute to Nodar’s tragedy, perhaps more should have been done during the two week period of the games.
From reading numerous news articles, I make the following observations:
1. The architect for the sliding center is well respected and has designed many sliding and luge courses. Nevertheless, he should be held responsible for design flaws and lack of safety precautions for this sliding course.
2. Many Olympic athletics, even the most experienced, crashed on the sliding course. Numerous bobsleds overturned. One or more athletics withdrew from competition after crashing on this course.
3. Since this course was constructed on a narrow strip of land than normally used, the architect should have eliminated some of the curves and the curves should have been less dangerous.
4. I noticed the the transition out of the curves is very abrupt with the sliding course narrowing dramatically. This allows no room, whatsoever, for minor adjustments by the athletes traveling 90 or more mph.
5. The architect was to have designed the course for speeds of approximately 85mph, but speeds greatly exceeding 85mph were recorded during the Olympics. Apparently, the architect was negligent in calculating the speed of the course. This is a major design error on his part that cost Nodar’s life.
6. Due to the excessive speed of the course, more frequent and tighter curves, the architect should have provided “extra” safety precautions including raising the heights of the walls where the course transitions out of the curves. Also, all concrete, steel or iron columns should have been padded or been eliminated from immediate danger to the athletes.
7. After Nodar’s tragic death on the course, the architect stated that the lower portion of the luge course should be redesigned and “reconstructed.” Of course, modifications were made immediately prior to the Olympic games. This statement, by the architect, is a major admission of design error for speed and safety precautions.
I think the sliding course should be closed, out of respect for Nodar, until a full design and construction investigation is completed, for the safety of all. Nodar you will be remembered!
Having read about the sterling qualities of Nodar, from European sources, it makes me even sadder the world has lost such a good man…a good young man who , by all accounts, was loving , kind and talented. Too bad the officials lack these qualities. The Austrialian (female) luger is donating her luge suit, via an e-bay auction, to benefit the Kumaritashvili family…as well, the USA luge team is doing the same… and , the government of Georgia has established a bank account for donations. However, a lasting legacy of a luge in his hometown seems , at the very least, the best way to honor this brave, good young man. Even now, after the Olympics has ended, I cannot believe the crass attitude of the IOC or VANOC or the FIL. How they sleep at night I will never know.
Jaimie, Thanks for your input on this, and for the kind words too. As you say, this was an extraordinary young man. Just so you know too, I have no intention of letting these people off the hook. We are not a powerful media outlet by comparison, but we can apply a good deal of pressure on the web. This is what Nodar and his family deserve, nothing less, for someone – several someone’s – to try and make things right.
Please remind me if I ever get off the horse will you? The Olympics are far too important to be governed by the same bureaucrats that run everything else (badly). I think many are starting to see this. Again, thanks so much not only for coming here to express, but for being the kind of person who not only cares, but has the moral ideals to even understand this Jaimie. I think it is a rare thing these days.
Always,
Phil
Apparently to set aside controversy, the original video of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the young Georgian luger killed in a horrific crash, has been removed from the internet. There are videos on the internet of crashes during Olympic trials and competitions, 2010 and past. Reading through posted comments, there are several points of view regarding the ‘airing’ of the Nodar Kumaritashvili crash. The opening statement in a video titled “Top 5 crashes from Torino” sums it up. “If it were safe would anybody care? If pain weren’t part of the equation, how hard would the challenge be? If life and limb did not hang in the balance, what would Gold be worth? On snow and on ice, the winter games test precision and skill in a laboratory built for catastrophe.”
This accident should be included in videos of 2010 Olympic crashes, and because of the fatality, include an homage message to the athlete as a tribute to the seriousness of the competitions and the athlete’s dedication to their sport. What about public complaints of too much censorship? Yes, reality is harsh, but pretending this disaster didn’t happen and allowing it to fade, would be a loss to the Olympic principle.
These are the World Olympics! The athlete’s who made it this far, have taken repeated risks to beat out other contender’s to become their country’s representative. They know the risks, they know the possibilities of disaster. They signed on to a dangerous job with known risks just like soldiers, firefighters and police officers. This video should be viewed not to sensationalize the tragedy, but to reinforce the seriousness and harsh realities of these competitions and emphasize the athlete’s dedication to their sport by undertaking such risks, an homage of respect for the athlete and their family.
To the parents who complain that their child viewed the footage: If your child saw this, it is likely not the first or last time your child has or will see reality on television. There were graphic warnings preceding telecasts of the video. Where were you? Parents are the children’s censors.
“Top 5 crashes from Torino” video link:
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/assetid=9cbae148-4d02-4bd1-a25d-cbba5aa993fa.html?chrcontext=fastandfearless#top+crashes+from+torino
This is a valid point of view 1pointofvu, of course there is dignity involved here too. Just because there are people killing people over basically nothing, does this mean we can kill people basically for nothing? Crashes began with the ski jumper running off the ramp on Wide World of Sports before most people now a days were born. It made people cringe at the sheer agony of this type of defeat. But, showing people really being killed? Too far into the dignity arena for this writer. I am not wrong here.
As for this unfortunate luge competitor, I made the case for how far is “too” far in putting people at risk. Our capacity or morbid curiosity has little to do with the valiant pursuit of excellence my friend. Most people searching for these videos have an idea of this pursuit linked inextricably to XBox 360. They may have injured their gaming thumb while trying to munch Doritos as they “pretend” murder some alien. At best while they “pretend” skateboard to some hip hop tune.
I do not totally disagree with your view here, honestly I do not. But, I just believe we have gone far enough in the “uncensored” direction of all inclusive humanity. We need to back up a bit in my view.
Always,
Phil
Nodar Kumaritashvili 21 anos 25/11/1988 (RIP) 144 km/h Não = 112 km/h sim
Phil:
Thanks for putting into words everything I’ve been thinking about this tragedy, and for doing it so eloquently.
kj
Hi Ken, and thank you. To be honest, I wanted to just come out and say these officials are just pond scum, but I try to be as kind as possible. Everyone these days is a politician you know. What ever happened to genuine excellence? I guess it gets killed by oversights and cost over runs?
Always,
Phil
I am a dual U.S./Canadian citizen. Let’s get real – the “Own the Podium” mentality and program ended up killing someone. I am outraged. Limiting other teams’ access to the run – that’s called “home field advantage?” No, I call it extremely poor sportsmanship, and deadly in this case. Canada, I’m ashamed. I expect better of you.
Sally, Thanks for stopping by. I am with you. This young man did his best and now it appears he called his Dad expressing fear before the accident. The man who won the event made a mistake on the same run and dislocated his shoulder in training. The best in the world later expressed his fears the speed of this track was too dangerous. I do not know what is going on with the Olympic people, whatever it is it is not good.
Always,
Phil
I really think some folks can be so uncaring, unloving and hateful. I’m reading comments from a whole bunch of people blaming the kid for his own death. I mean common, really? The necessary walls and padding weren’t put in place before his death, yet you have the audacity to pretty much say, “he killed himself” because he made a mistake. When the track was built, the builders should have foreseen that mistakes could and will be made; and should have compensated for that.
I am also reading comments from fellow athletes who have no compassion. One German female athlete actually expressed disgust that the starting points for the Luge races were lowered after the death of Nodar. Imagine she focussed her comments on something so minor in comparison to a life lost. What if the life was her brother or her sister, what would be her comment then? I mean has she no heart? I mean it’s hard to believe that human kind could be so arrogant, so uncaring, so deceitful, so harsh. The man is dead; at least have some respect. A mother is grieving, a father has to go collect his dead, a sister is in anguish, and there are a bunch of people making their lack of wisdom known by their stupid comments. Whether you believe in a higher being or not, these situations indicate to me that human kind lack goodness, and are in much need of mercy and grace too.
I did not expect it from the officials. The way they blamed the kid was unacceptable. I can only imagine how his parents feel right now, when it is obvious that there is something wrong with the track and his dead boy is being blamed for his own death.
My heart goes to family, friends and fellow athletes of Nodar Kumaritashvili…
How can I send my condolences to his family?
Best regards,
Angela
Blaming the athlete for his death, when the steel girders were next to a wall too short to contain a sled, and now insituting changes to the track (and a lower start location) for “emotional reasons” has to be the height of hypocrisy and shame for the IOC and Vancouver Games. These changes admit culpabiity. Nodar’s family deserves the truth. They also deserve the small shred of comfort that their son died to protect other athletes from a similar fate. In blaming the athlete, then instituting new safety measures anyway, the IOC and governing federations have relinquished any claim to credibility. As for denying competing countries access to the track to learn its difficulties (the “Own the Podium” mentality), this is unspeakable. Olympic sportsmanship? The Vancouver Games are tarnished, more than rustiest of medals. Thank you for this article. My deepest sympathy to Nodar’s family. He will be remembered.
Hi Jennifer, You pretty much encapsulated it. Taking a whole arduous 24 hours to make these expert and idiotic determinations pretty much reveals the mentality of the IOC, the games must go on, we have schedules to keep. Thanks for your input.
Always,
Phil