Story banned in Berne – Georgian Olympic Committee blames the tracks not luger, mother stricken with grief at airport
Crash at Olympics practice, is the IOC ducking responsibility? photo- Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images
It’s not just US comedian Dave Letterman who thinks the IOC is callous and perhaps hiding something in the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. Dave Letterman takes on IOC over luge “accident”
There is a mounting sentiment of anger against the IOC. The only investigation so far has blamed Muaritashvili for inexperience.
The Wall Street Journal reports the Georgian Olympic Committee refutes that IOC allegation that Mr Kumaritashvili was at fault.
“TBILISI, Georgia—In its strongest condemnation yet of the horrific accident that killed 21-year-old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili hours before the opening of the Winter Olympics, the Georgian Olympic Committee on Thursday blamed the track, not the athlete.”
“I exclude the possibility that Nodar was not experienced enough,” committee chief Giorgi Natsvlishlili said in televised comments. “From my point of view the track was at fault.”
“Safety standards were not properly observed,” Mr. Natsvlishvili said. He hinted that Georgia might take “further action” regarding the accident, but didn’t elaborate.Wall Street Journal
The 21 year old luger died when his sled tipped him out and he flew off the track on a curve at 144 Kph. He flew up beyond a retaining wall and hit an unprotected beam. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital.
Mother grief stricken in Georgia
At the airport in Tiblisi, his mother Dodo Kharazishvili threw herself on the flag drapped coffin in tears of anguish and grief. “Why have I survived you?” she cried out uncontrollably. An ambulance had to be called to assist her. She could not walk. (AP)
FIL blames luger but President contradicts Vancouver
The International Luge Federation FIL blamed Mr Kumaritashvili for the accident then slowed the course down and add some protection on the deadly curve. Their actions are an admission of guilt. The men’s course now starts forward at the same place as the women. The half-fence that didn’t protect Kumaritashvili has been built up and the posts are now padded. All of those actions could have avoided a tragic accident; however, the FIL and IOC are in denial mode and won’t accept that or investigate further.
In London, “Joseph Fendt, president of the World Luge Federation, told London’s Daily Telegraph: ‘’The track is too fast. We had planned it to be a maximum of 137 km/h but it is about 20km/h faster. We think this is a planning mistake.’’ Vancouver Sun
Canadian civil authorities may have to investigate further although we suspect the current pro-Olympics mood in BC will preclude a serious investigation and possible charges against sports authorities. The BC Coroner prepared a preliminary investigation clearing the track but that seems suspect as well.
It was callous and unsportsmanlike to blame the dead athlete. It appears the ILF wants to duck any liability and pass the buck to the victim, who cannot defend himself.
I saw the whole luge run before the IOC started pulling the video from the internet and broadcasters. It was clear Kumaritashvili felt the track was too fast. He kept arching his neck and looked very nervous, not calm.
The IOC knows the video is damming and has given us a demand to remove the video. IOC issues take down of news coverage about luge death in David and Goliath battle The IOC is trying to hide the truth under the guise of copyright violations, which are patently false.
Luge track unsafe with other injuries reported
Kumaritashvili’s father David is a luger himself and told the BBC “But I never ever thought that his taking part would lead to his death. But unfortunately it was the end. There were metal pillars after the bend and that was where he crashed. If those pillars had not been there this would not have happened. I might have seen him again alive.”
Other lugers are complaining the track is dangerous. BBC reports “Before the incident, British skeleton slider Amy Williams told BBC Sport: “I just hope Whistler is safe and that there aren’t too many crashes and serious injuries.” Australia’s Hannah Campbell-Pegg added: “I think they are pushing it a little too much. To what extent are we just little lemmings that they just throw down a track and we’re crash-test dummies? I mean, this is our lives.”
Their comments followed earlier accidents, including one involving gold medal favourite Armin Zoeggeler of Italy and several during women’s luge training runs on Wednesday. Among those who crashed, Romania’s Violeta Stramaturaru was knocked unconscious for a few minutes and taken to hospital. The track is where British competitor Adam Rosen crashed during training in October last year. He suffered a dislocated hip as well as nerve and tendon damage.” BBC
Canadian advantage
The Canadian luge team complained that they were prepared for the faster track and didn’t want to slow the Games down. British commentators said the Canadians had practiced up to 300 times and the course was closed to lugers not on the Canadian team. Kumaritashvili voiced his concern that he was only allowed 30 practice runs.
Some commentators claim Canada has lost it’s nice guy image and is pursuing medals at all costs. “The Canadian organisers had also been criticised for limiting access to other teams during the build-up to the Games in order to favour home competitors.” MailOnline
Related stories
US Female Bobsledder calls Vancouver track “stupid fast”
CBC covers David and Goliath battle with IOC
Lawyer and wannabee journalist says luge video voyeurism
IOC Threatens Ski Gear Company
FIL to investigate luge death
Dave Letterman takes on IOC over luge “accident”
IOC blocks news about luge death in David and Goliath battle
IOC Tries To Restrict Freedom of the Press
Olympics Moves to Take Down Video of Luge Death
Stories from Wall Street Journal, Guardian.co.uk, AP, MailOnLine, Vancouver Sun, BBC and NJN Network. The video clip is copyright by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It was broadcast by ABC News, along with other broadcast media, both on broadcast TV, cable and on their internet site. NJN Network makes no claim of copyright but it does claim the right to embed and thereby rebroadcast the video used under the Canadian Copyright Act under permission of Section 29.2 ” Fair dealing for the purpose of news reporting does not infringe copyright if the following are mentioned: (a) the source; and (b) if given in the source, the name of the…(iv) broadcaster, in the case of a communication signal.”
peter richards
I have just seen the video of the poor luger. We are pretty much censored here in the UK – My brother lives in Vancouver and told me about the video – it was a tragic accident that could have been prevented. There were no barriers, no netting – nothing. I’m not for a nanny state, accidents do happen and that’s life – but this was corporate manslaughter!!! What were the organisers thinking. No wonder they are trying to hide what happened. Cameras do not lie!
Anonymous
If they try to force you to take down the video, send it over to Wikileaks:
https://secure.wikileaks.org/
To read more about them:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikileaks
They’re in a bit of a financial rut at the moment, but leaking the video as well as the take down order is the best thing you could do at the moment, considering the IOC has blood on its hands and will stop at nothing!
Ali
Whoever designed that track is responsible for the death of this poor luger.
I mean, exposed steel beams right at the outset of a turn like that? I’m sorry, but that’s just shoddy engineering. As an engineer myself, I would *never* have approved such a design.
Why on Earth did they approve this dangerous design? Was it cost-cutting? Low budget?
The IOC clearly has blood on its hands, and are trying to cover it up. This is criminal…
Linda
I saw the Video and read the news he had practiced at leas 30 runs on it before his death,It was an accident plain and simple
V.Saymong
It was a tragic accident but compounded by a rotten design. It would have cost virtually nothing to put up some boarding along the I-beams that would have bounced airborne lugers back on the track. They’d be banged up but otherwise alive.
This shoddy design reminds me of the same lousy design in the tunnel where Princess Diana and the others were killed. Why were there not simple, cheap guardrails to bounce back wayward cars? Instead, there were pillars. High speeds and vertical pillars are a recipe for death.
Rails and other flat or other guiding surfaces enable for speeding, out-of-control objects to continue in their path and offer the opportunity to slow down and relieve the kinetic energy more slowly than the sudden stop of an unyielding I-beam.
The question is now Why did VANOC and the IOC allow such an obviously deficient design to remain. Only the death of the luger made them put up safety boarding that should have always been there!
Josh
Obviously it was an accident, fine detective work though Linda. The point is that incurring fatal injuries from the accident was and is unnecessary and quite irresponsible. It doesn’t make any sense that there would be no padding on those poles, or even why the retaining wall after a corner like that would be so short. But hey, at least the olympics are aesthetically pleasing right.
John
Looks folks, this was horrible, but those blaming the track…come on…do you really (REALLY!) think anyone going 140km/hr hitting something that makes you come to a complete stop 140-to-0 instantly matters if it was padded. Do you people have any idea what netting would have done to him? He’s be in pieces…come on think on your own for a minute.
The “engineers” comment above too, what a crock, you are quite obviously not an engineer. Anyone who doesn’t understand that you can’t slow someone down in this situation without them dying doesn’t have much of a brain.
John
I hope Canada is not going to participate in denying responsibility.
It is blatantly obvious that what happened could have happened and should have been anticipated. Therefore defiencies in the design of the safety of the track is at fault.
Proper design would have contained the luger within the confines of the track.
michelle
What is the definition of the word accident? Unless the IOC officials are standing at the track wringing their hands and giggling like Renfield, it was an accident. Conspiracy nuts are always going to find flaws in anything–except their own brand of logic. And sorry Mr. Steven Pate, it would be news to report the story, it is voyeurism at its ugliest to want to replay the video.
Brendan
If more than one person flew off the track at that same spot then I would agree–the track is unsafe. But, one person flying off out of hundreds of runs is an accident. And metal beam or no, he more than likely would have been killed anyway because he was no longer confined to the track.
bete noire
You go NJN–we are behind you on this one. Don’t take down the video, instead, take down the cowardly, cynical, circle-jerking IOC.
Tara
other competitors who used the luge didn’t die so this is OBVIOUSLY a freak accident. plus, apparently the young Georgian man didn’t have that much experience…but experience or not, anyone willing to risk traveling down a hill at speeds of 140km/hr are aware of the risk.
I’m not blaming him and of course IOC should take some sort of responsibility for the design of the track, but i wouldn’t say they are responsible for his death. These competitors know the risk and prepare themselves for it when they participate.
it’s really sad but i think you should take the article down.. or at least the picture you are using… i personally find that really disrespectful to the family (as i’m sure some of my comments were, lol). do you not realize that the shot you have chosen is moments before someone’s death…disgusting!!
RIP Nodar Kumaritashvili
Dan
Dumbshit commenters. Except John – he’s got it at least reasonable.
The IOC has fuck all to do with approving luge tracks. That’s the international fucking LUGE federation. They approved the track in, IIRC, fall of 2008.
Go bark up another tree, fucktards. Vanoc and the IOC are not experts on luge tracks nor did they ever purport to be. Maybe in the US this shit would fly in terms of legal bullshit, but not here.
Good on you, NJN, though for publicizing newsworthy video.
Joe
The track is obviously a deathtrap, not designed by a responsible engineer who would have had proper regard for safety.
Look at how the very wide, banked curve immediately precipitates into a small u-shaped channel. This is a small target to hit. The luger coming out of the curve must hit this small target, and stabilize all left-to-right oscillations at the same time. Placing beams at this point is insane; basically it imposes a death penalty for being wrong.
The transition from a curve to a straightaway must be much more enclosed.
Yes, of course there is no safe way of instantaneously decelerating a body from 140 km/h to zero. The proper solution for that is to have lots of clear space at any place where a derailment can occur, so that the person can slow down prior to striking anything. There can’t be anything there; no stones, not even a shrub.
Someone definitely needs to go to jail here.
Whatever
Sounds like you folks are on a witch hunt.
RG
A lot of people (who are not, as whatever said, stating the obvious about it being a bad track and going on a witch hunt) are making sound comments with regards to:
– who exactly approved the track? Taking shots at the wrong people here. IF Canadians were making 300 runs on it, doesn’t it just take 1 for it to become fatal? So there’s a discrepancy with that favouritism comment
– All the so called Engineers, only John has made valid points
– Of course it’s a tragedy, and an accident, but if it was tested, I really doubt it was intended to kill someone. Obviously bad testing, but this brings it back to the first point…who exactly approved it?
– While Letterman’s rants are usually good when they are directed at O’reilly or some idiot, he also needs to put the story in perspective instead of riling up an angry mob. He should present all the arguments (like the ones above) instead of irresponsibly becoming some moral figurehead to the TV audience. He’s right about it not being fair to outright blame the luger, but he’s not completely right. Like the guy hasn’t made his fair share of mistakes this past year. Lucky it didn’t cost anyone their life.
– Luging is dangerous…fine line. Some people disagree that the course was too fast, in hindsight, most people do agree. What do you do now? Eye for an eye? Settlement maybe, but are you going to murder the designer?
shonangreg
Witch hunt? An accident? Of course it was an accident, but accidents are going to happen in sports. It is only reasonable that planning and design takes into account the errors and accidents that are going to happen. You wouldn’t put a crowd behind the target in archery, a wall behind the rim in basketball, or metal columns at the end of a curve in luge. It is predictable that someone will fly off the track at that point. Putting the columns there, especially when the track was so fast and athletes make mistakes on even slower tracks, is irresponsible. The governing body, whoever they are, has to be held accountable so they will insist on safe designs in the future. And the Olympic committee blaming this on “human error” is clueless and just unconscionable.
shonangreg
PS Njnnetwork, thanks for struggling to keep this video up. I could see from the video what happened. The error in the track design is made obvious from watching the video and giving the matter a little thought (as should have been done beforehand). Your photo and video *are* newsworthy.
Sparx
For those of us living in Vancouver this has been a major news event with significantly more information that seen outside of Canada. The conclusions so far as as follows.
1. The track design was approved by the FIL before being built.
2. The track the the fastest ever built
3. The completed track was approved by the FIL before athletes were allowed onto it.
4. The accident happened at 140 Km per hour – once he left the track the chance of surviving was already almost zero even without an obstacle for him to strike.
There was also a big drama because the other Lugers were upset that the track was shortened to slow it down as they did not want to compete on a “slow” track.
Mike metal mon
I fully support this guy standing up the IOC.
The IOC can’t order a Canadian to do anything in his own country, the can ask, but in Canada we can bend over ask them to kiss our ass.
I am glad this got on CBC – I hope this guy will take the up the job of researching costs and scams by the IOC – we need to get to the bottom and find out how much money was stolen and put the people in jail that have broken Canadian law.
Me Mike, I order the IOC to come clean and submit full records of spending on the Olympics – I order thee IOC to now give back stolen funds and hand over the criminals for their trials in Canada.