RIP Nodar Kumaritashvili

For Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia, this would be his death. In an accident so grisly and horrific that Canadian TV stations suggested viewers turn away, the young athlete died shortly after flying too fast through the 50-50 Curve, losing control on the final 270-degree turn, hurdling projectile-like over an icy wall and slamming into an unpadded -- yes, unpadded -- steel pole. A rescue crew tried to revive him trackside by pumping his chest and giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but there was no hope. Kumaritashvili was dead, a victim of a sport gone mad and organizers who weren't paying enough attention.

So sadly, for a subtle country that aches to show its might and efficiency, Canada already has its defining moment of the XXI Winter Games. Regardless of Vancouver's beauty or how spectacular the competition turns out, how are we going to forget that a luger perished because a bunch of morons built the track too fast? A full house of Canadians, trying to make the best of an awful situation, mustered cheers and energy Friday night during the Opening Ceremony inside B.C. Place. But frankly, they should have postponed the Ceremony for a night out of respect to the fallen athlete, even if NBC protested and had to air Conan O'Brien reruns. Only seconds into the proceedings, the public-address man announced somberly that the ceremony was being dedicated to Kumaritashvili's memory. No matter how many lights sparkled, how many times they played the stirring "Oh, Canada," how many athletes tried to smile and how many native singers entertained -- Nelly Furtado, Bryan Adams, Sarah McLachlan and k.d. lang among them -- thousands of us sat inside the downtown dome and thought only about the senselessness of it all.

Wayne Gretzky and Steve Nash among those lighting the Olympic cauldron at night's end? Didn't faze me. I was numb, thinking about the crash and a young man's family. And I sat disgusted by what I heard from Jacques Rogge, president of the IOC. At an afternoon news conference, he struggled to hold back tears when speaking of the tragedy. "This is a very sad day. The IOC is in deep mourning,'' he said. "(Kumaritashvili) lost his life pursuing his passion. I have no words to say what we feel. It clearly casts a shadow over these Games.''

But when asked why the safety warnings weren't heeded or addressed, Rogge suddenly grew abrupt. "I'm sorry, this is a time of sorrow. It's not the time to ask for reasons,'' he said. "That time will come."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• RIP
• Nodar
• Kumaritashvili
• 2010
• winter
• olympics

[TheBigMan23lj]

So sad but they shoulda raised the side bs it was his fault they are dumb

R.I.P nodar

[tredub91]

if they would have made every curve a tunnel, if he fell, it wouldn't have done anything. He would have just slid over the top of the tunnel

[salomejumala]

drop the word soviet

[mmbmrock]

RIP Nodar from America.

[ForzaTworza]

he is really a hero ... :((((( look that face.

[thewildcat1000]

RIP.  Too young to die........

[britfem]

RIP from Canada...:-(

[Teddeee1981]

Rest In Peace...

It was a sad day, and it is still sad to have this tragedy happen.

As for the person who posted the video:

Yes the posts were UNCOVERED... but many many people had seen this and did nothing. Im sure even the Lugers themselves had noticed and did nothing. It was not an issue until this happened.

His mistake on the course should NOT have cost him his life. I pray he was doing what he loved to do most. God bless Nodar and everyone who risks their lives to do what the love.

[Larinum]

ciao NODAR FROM ITALY!!!

[Tw33k07]

RIP Nodar

BUT....

To think that this is entirely Canada's fault is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard. Not only does the track have to be approved by an official olympics board, but it is also obviously a dangerous sport and a dangerous course. Nodar said this himself before attempting it, yet still chose to go through with it. He took a risk and paid the price, sad but true.