Luge Death 2010 Video: Youtube vs IOC in Olympic Luge Tragedy

by Jordan Yerman | February 15, 2010 at 07:29 am

131152 views | 41 Recommendations | 18 comments

While Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger who died in Friday's horrific crash, was memorialized during the Opening Ceremonies, the Olympic luge tragedy video, showing Nodar Kumaritashvili colliding with an upright pillar after coming off his sled, spread across Youtube as those not glued to early coverage were just finding out about the luge crash. As such, the Nodar Kumaritashvili crash video spread, time zone by time zone, as people in different parts of the world heard about the opening-day tragedy.

The IOC moved quickly to get the various luge crash videos and photos off the Internet, but there's a point at which they were fighting a losing battle. Aside from the tragic loss of life, the luge death video showed a gaping hole in common sense in the design and build of the Olympic luge track, which is the fastest luge track in history.

Our own Scan tool showed just how many iterations of the luge crash video had spread across the web- for every clickthrough met with "This video has been removed...", there would be another that was still playable. The takeaway lesson here for the IOC, besides the concept of plexiglass, was that controlling coverage of the Games would be impossible: if a major event like the death of an athlete takes place, the world will find out right away, and that's exactly what happened.

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ClaireHanan (not verified)

at 07:59 on February 15th, 2010

This is similar to what I've heard from reporters covering the Games; the IOC tries to control every piece of media surrounding the Olympics. But after watch the crash video here, bit.ly/aEukBz , it seems as if access to this footage is necessary in order to prevent further tragedies.

June Myers (not verified)

at 08:44 on February 15th, 2010

Well, big brother rises again....who do they think they are to censor? At least ABC is still showing it. And it doesn't even show anything gory...you'd think his head would have come off for the way the censors are deleting. Too bad they don't go after the child pornographers the same way.....

ra (not verified)

at 09:30 on February 15th, 2010

Well June Myers all I have to say to that is what kind of sicko actually wants to see either one? It doesn't show anything gory? I haven't seen it and wouldn't want to but to want to see a video of someone's tragic death all over the internet and get mad because it is being removed is just sad. Have some respect, it isn't entertainment we are talking about it is the loss of a human life. I'm glad they are trying to remove it, it's aweful that people are enjoying seeing it and not to mention disrespectful to the family. I agree they should go after child pornography just as hard but they shouldn't be removing this any slower. It is one thing to remember or tell the story of the tragedy to prevent it but showing all over youtube is really sick and I don't think it should be on the news either but unfortunately because of the first amendment they just have to use their nonexistent conscience to make the decision to show it or not.

anonymous42 (not verified)

at 09:46 on February 15th, 2010

Really at least ABC is still showing it? What a cold hearted comment. First of all to even think that, let alone post it is incredible. That is someone's child/family member/friend and human being. A precious young life was unfortunetly taken and that's what you have to say. And gory? I believe showing a death is gory, just because there is not blood and guts, doesn't mean it's not gory. Honestly who truly wants to watch someone die? Have some decency what if this was your family member, would you honestly want that being shown over and over and over. The family has not even seen the video and why would they want to. This is a time to mourn a life. Seriously people sometimes think before you say things! Prayers and thoughts are with the family at such a tragic time.

C dot (not verified)

at 09:03 on February 16th, 2010

Well, respectively, showing a death does NOT mean its gore. Gore IS blood and guts, so get your facts straight before you start attacking someone. Yes a death is tragic for the family. Fact of the matter is, everyone likes crash videos. Everyone likes to see things like this as long as its not them. This is entertainment, the death just happened to be part of it and people are going to want to see it. People are a lot more sick than any of them admit to being. God doesn't exist so stop sending out useless prayers that help no one.

car3ss (not verified)

at 14:51 on February 16th, 2010

chill out 17 yr old emo kid... take a trip to disney world or get a girlfriend or something, you need it.

anonymous323232 (not verified)

at 22:08 on February 17th, 2010

you're an idiot. there's only a few ppl in the world that are family. 6 billion+ other citizens, and we want to see the footage and what really happened. last time i checked this country was a democracy right? not a dictatorship. the video should be seen.

Howser (not verified)

at 13:52 on March 6th, 2010

You're confusing democracy with anarchy you unbelievably dense human being. Jesus - learn to think for yourself. You don't have to point to some imaginary status quo to justify human behaviour - one, you're wrong in thinking a democracy means the freedom to do whatever you want - try punching a policeman or walking naked through your town... How can you have missed the point that it's people's hope that most people have the emotional awareness to relate to the death of someone with a sense of connection? At what point do you draw the distinction between family and everybody else - how many times removed a relative would someone have to be for you to watch their death online? Your attitude is sick in it's truest sense, i.e you don't understand your own reaction to something abhorent - your attempt to distance yourself from the horror of a tragic death is indicative of your inner need to avoid the reality of life's truths. Watching the video is not some noble confrontation of death - it's perceived as entertainment but it's a deep and sick need to avoid embracing life - to avoid connection to life and I am sorry you will waste your life.

John dillon (not verified)

at 10:13 on February 15th, 2010

all i have to say is i hope that the family of this poor man gets lots of money for the display of that video all over the internet i am very sorry for that familys loss

duncan kayfus (not verified)

at 11:15 on February 15th, 2010

for all the people who are getting mad because the crash is being taken off of the internet suck it up and get alife because would you want the video of your death posted all over the internet really.

Bevan

at 14:09 on February 15th, 2010

If it helps it not to happen again, then hell yes!

Pat Garcia

at 14:44 on February 15th, 2010

Joe Rogann (not verified)

at 15:01 on February 15th, 2010

Whats the matter, you canadians can't take some Constructive criticism...? JUST WATCH THIS VIDEO, IT MAKES ALL CLEAR: video.report-cnn.com/Olympic_Luger_Death_Video

DRDEE (not verified)

at 07:40 on February 16th, 2010

DEATH VIDEOS ROCK THE HOUSE BABY!!!!!!! DEATHGAMES 2010 WOO WHO!!!!!!!!!!

steve thehater (not verified)

at 13:26 on February 16th, 2010

Udo Gurgel, you effing moron. Nice death course, you complete Jackass. This idiot should be sued by the family of Nodar Kumaritashvili, and the Georgian team.Who puts exposed steel beams directly next to the exiting curve of the FASTEST luge course in history? AN IDIOT! A man concentrating solely on the SPEED of a course for his own EGO, and paying no attention to the obvious details of SAFETY.UDO GURGEL IS DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS HORRIFIC ACCIDENT AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOULTABLE!

Kat Lars (not verified)

at 03:14 on February 22nd, 2010

There is a group on Facebook Canada and The World Mourns The Loss of Nodar Kumaritashvili. Go and leave your condolences for him and his family there!!

Dick Normus (not verified)

at 15:51 on February 22nd, 2010

yo steve thehater, i understand what your saying about UDO GURGEL but that track passed every test there was so he shouldnt be the only one responsible. either way what a shitty thing to happen.

elvls (not verified)

at 20:58 on February 28th, 2010

What's wrong with viewing someone dying? It's a natural thing people... so chill out. I personally believe seeing videos of this is a good thing... because it's REAL. This shit will REALLY happen to you. All of these censors distort what's real and what's not real to us Americans. Life is cruel, live with it.