Vancouver 2010: Olympic Luge Accidents, Whistler Track Too Fast?

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Whistler Luge Track

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uploaded by Sudha Krishna

The Luge track at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Luge Track in Whistler is fast, very fast. - with speeds topping 150 kms. Though it is still unclear whether the luge track is too fast, too dangerous for the Friday practice runs especially after the tragic death of a Gerogian Luger

On Saturday however, the luge events will go ahead as planned, but some changes have been made to the track. What do these changes mean for the athletes?

The head of the Georgian Olympic, Irakly Japaridze, devastated by the loss of Nodar Kumaritashvili, had this to say about the Whistler Luge Track

One thing is clear that before the tragic death of Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili, there were other accidents involving lugers and their sleds on the Whistler Luge Track.

The other concern are these metal poles that the Georgian Luger, Kumaritashvili crashed into. Again, it unclear if what, if anything, padding would have done to prevent the tragic death of the 21 year old Georgian Luger.

NPR quotes Australian Luger Hannah-Campbell Pegg:

Luge of course is dangerous sport, high speed accidents are common (see video).While the Whistler Luge Track is shut down as officials investigate it is unclear whether the entire Luge event will be cancelled.  If you so desire the video of the Georgian Luger Accident is here 

Videos

Luge Crash videos_

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sourced by Sudha Krishna