Nodar Kumaritashvili prepares for the start of his first training run on Friday. His fatal crash happened during his second training run.
The athletes don't have a choice, but, to accept the challenge and hope all goes well. They could pack up and go home, but, to miss the opportunity of winning a metal at an Olympics Game is enough to die for.
The point is this is the beginning of their careers in some cases. They are the pride of their country. They have come to compete while obeying all the rules imposed upon them.
The Olympic Venue is NOT safe. There should be no solid objects that aren't wrapped in something to prevent injury at 100+ mph, yet alone 80 mph.
There should be padding at all the critical areas where sleds can become air bound, especially considering this incredible hairpin turn to the finish line. What is the Vancouver Olympic Organization thinking? Their venues are probably going to be toughest the world has seen and they accept carnage as a potential outcome to that reality.
I don't think so !
