 The Nodar Kumaritashvili crash video continues to draw controversy and criticism (videos, photos)
Nodar Kumaritashvili lost his life in a fatal crash on February 12, 2010. As the athlete from the Republic of Georgia took to the Whistler Sliding Centre track in preparation for the winter Olympics 2010 events, he lost control, flew off the track, over a rail and crashed into a pole. Nodar Kumaritashvili crash video stirs controversy, Winter Olympics luger killed (photos, videos) Attempts to resuscitate the athlete failed and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The event had been streamed live on the Internet and the video quickly circulated through news and social media networks. The coverage has drawn controversy and criticism. Slideshow: Olympics 2010 Opening Ceremony dedicated to Nodar Kumaritashvili (photos and videos)
To witness a death first hand is stunning and for many, especially those who had been following live with Vancouver’s CTV, the full reality of what had been witnessed was delayed. The accident happened so quickly, that many weren’t aware that they had watched a young athlete’s final moments. Now, it has been debated whether or not the footage should be aired.
The video was immediately pulled from YouTube however, many networks continued to play the video, even including embeddable players. Though the public responds to the video with mixed response, the video itself is crucial to determining what events transpired that caused the tragic fatality. As many question the safety of the track, Olympic officials stand by their claims that the Whistler Sliding Centre is in fact safe, many however disagree.
Whether or not the video should be played has become a matter of personal choice as well as one of great controversy. Those who wish to view the video have, and continue to do so, while others state that it is too horrific to watch. Nodar Kumaritashvili’s father spoke with media and stated that he would not watch the video.
David Kumaritashvili, 46, said, “I can’t and I won’t see the footage of my son’s last minutes.” David Kumaritashvili also faults the course for the accident. According to the Washington Post, Nodar Kumaritashvili’s father said that they never should have allowed the track to reach such incredible speeds. New reports from multiple media sources have quoted a number of luge athletes stating that they fear the Whistler Sliding Centre track and are afraid that it is unsafe.
Changes have been made to the track and the starting speed has been lowered as a safety precaution. According to a report by the AFP, women lugers are unhappy with the new slower speed and state that those changes should have been made last year, not now after the fatal crash that took the life of a 21 year old athlete in his prime, Nodar Kumaritashvili. Prime Writer News Network Topic: Olympics The Nodar Kumaritashvili crash video continues to draw controversy and criticism (videos, photos)
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