On Friday, Feb. 12 was the official opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada and also the last race for luger Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia (USSR). The 21-year-old luger crashed into a metal pole in one of the steep curves on the Whistler track. The Olympic officials reported that the accident was tragic but not because of the track but rather from the inexperience of Kumaritashvili. Either way Canada refused to allow lugers to become familiar with the track prior to the opening night.
Reports from his parents Sunday reported that the Kumaritashvili told his father that he was scared of one of the turns (the one that claimed his life) but would finish the course and make them proud. The Olympic officials padded the metal pole Kumaritashvili crashed into and lowered the starting location as precautionary measures.
Emotions are mixed about the new safety measures for the track but our condolences go out to the family and friends of Nodar Kumaritashvili.
