Holy ****, an Athlete Just Got Killed at the Olympics

[Lemur]

Who knew the luge was such a man-eater?

I can't imagine the 2010 Vancouver Games starting off on a more sour note than it has with this horrific, heart-wrenching, accident that occurred to a Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritsashvili, during a trial run.

Coming around one of the bends, his luge flung him off the track, sending him somersaulting through the air and ultimately, into a steel pillar on the other side. We should warn you that this video is not for the faint of heart.

Apparently, after repeated CPR attempts, Nodar was airlifted by helicopter off the course, and later pronounced dead. He was 21-years old and competing in his first Olympics.

[Centurion1]

yes very sad, you'll notice how sad the georgian contingent looked.

[Fragony]

If you look at the footage (you hardly see anything, but it's still tasteless to post) it has fail all over it, this would never have happened if they did more tests. They didn't expect people to go that fast, wut??

[Beskar]

I thought the Olympics were in 2012?

[Fragony]

I thought the Olympics were in 2012?

There is summer and winter olympics, see that is what you get in a country where it rains all year, seasonal confusement

[Beskar]

Oh, the Winter Olympics basically get no press over here at all. To us, the Olympics is the big event which happens every 4 years.

[Megas Methuselah]

Man, the hockey team better win Canada the gold again. I was so dissapointed when those Americans beat us in the championship game in the juniors; very dissapointing. And right after Eberly saved our asses, too. Jeez. I used to watch Eberle when he played for the Pats, and I have to tell you: I wasn't surprised with his sniping. He used to do it all the time.

[bobbin]

If you look at the footage (you hardly see anything, but it's still tasteless to post) it has fail all over it, this would never have happened if they did more tests. They didn't expect people to go that fast, wut??

If you mean the authorities running the event then yes, there had already been complaints that the track was too fast and quite a few athletes had already crashed and injured themselves during training runs.

[A Very Super Market]

You know what happens when Georgians and Russians are put in the same place.

[The Wizard]

Who had the brilliant idea of putting those pillars right next to the track? Someone flies out, he'll splatter his brains on one of those... which is what happened.

[pevergreen]

Oh, the Winter Olympics basically get no press over here at all. To us, the Olympics is the big event which happens every 4 years.

Was the same for us, until....

Bradbury.

[Centurion1]

Well americans just like winning shiny stuff so its always a big deal here.

[Hax]

You know what happens when Georgians and Russians are put in the same place.

Yes. Yes I do.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[Ferret]

Oh, the Winter Olympics basically get no press over here at all. To us, the Olympics is the big event which happens every 4 years.

They show it on TV...and talk about it on the news...

[Aemilius Paulus]

You know what happens when Georgians and Russians are put in the same place.

Fraaaaa---

I was gonna make that joke. Maybe something about demanding equal retaliation... BTW, Beria was a Georgian as well.

[HoreTore]

Well americans just like winning shiny stuff so its always a big deal here.

Too bad we pawn you all then, isn't it?

[The Wizard]

We've got the best skaters, move over Norway

[Hax]

We've got the best skaters, move over Norway

QFT!

[Gregoshi]

Too bad we pawn you all then, isn't it?

Ahem, that was a pretty pathetic performance in the 15km men's cross country by the Norwegians today. I kind of felt bad for your country. What's happened? You used to be Kings of the nordic events. I hope you do better in later events. It doesn't seem like a proper Winter Olympics without Norway hauling in a boat load of medals.

[Centurion1]

psh, america owns in all Snowboarding. come talk to me when you have your own flying tomato.

[Meneldil]

I wonder how a topic about some poor dude's death turned into a 'ZOMG WE PWND YOU NOOB' fest. Laughable.

OT: This death has fail written all over it.

Athletes have been voicing concerns that the track was going to fast and was too dangerous in many places. Even the president of the International Luge Federation called it a "design mistake".

Not only Canada refuses to listen to their concerns, but also does not permit foreign athletes to practice on the track before the beginning of the Olympics. Non-canadian lugers only got a few hours to try the track, and in the first morning of practice, 4 people had various accidents (with one female luger being knocked unconscious).

Then, as should have been expected, someone has a fatal accident (I think it's the second luger who dies during an official event, according to Wiki). The olympic committee quickly investigates the issue (in less than a full afternoon) and concludes that it's not their fault (nonewithstanding the fact that such investigations usually last days if not weeks). The ILF, which one month ago was still saying the track should be changed makes a complete U-turn and now claims it's alright. Yet, to add the insult to the injury, they still modify the track, despite claming it's alright and not the cause of the accident.

Ah, the Olympics, what a wonderful fairy world.

[Lemur]

Meneldil makes a fair point, that a thread discussing an athlete's death isn't the right venue for team boasting. I think I'll lock my own thread and let the Olympic talk migrate elsewhere. Thanks to all who participated.