Luger's Death

[AABatteries]

Wow... Poor guy, only 21. I'm assuming everyone has heard of this. Some of you probably have also seen the video of the crash.

I think it was mainly due to his inexperience. Yes, they could have put padding on the poles. But, at 90mph I don't think it would have made a difference.

Here's the link ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]) if you haven't, and want to. WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE CONTAINED

[smaug]

I think the dude died doing what he loved.That sucks but thats racin.

[Fishguy2727]

The sport is risky and the athletes know that, but so do all the people who maintain and run the place. If I were there and saw a row of poles on the outside of a turn at the bottom of the course that would put up a huge red flag in my mind instantly. It is neglectful to look at that and not think "Maybe we should put a wall up there." Not pads, a wall (which somehow became a good idea a little too late). I think the President of Georgia worded it right when he said that an athlete's mistake shouldn't kill him. Sports are dangerous and should rarely lead to death (only under extremely freak conditions, i.e. freak accidents) and it should take have taken a lot more than this to kill someone.

I also think it is ridiculous that the footage made it anywhere. To begin with it shouldn't have been relased at all for the opportunity to even arise. The footage of Steve Irwin's death was able to be kept out of the media. And then for any news company to think it was a good idea to run it is horrible. That is what our news has come to "Watch this guy die!" This is why I don't watch the news.

However, I do think it is good that he died doing what he loved. Short of dying in your sleep I think that is what most people think is the best way to go.

[AABatteries]

I know what you're saying about how the track was. Ther was a "wall" there, more of a barrier. He did cut the turn though. Accidents happen, almost in impossible to prevent them.

And, I don't want to get started on the media getting the footage around. That would probably get this thread closed in a jiffy.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

In my personal opinion, having watched a good bit of luge and bobsled in my life, that was a freak accident. Never have I seen an athlete leave the track from a crash in either sport.