Nodar Kumaritashvili crash video stirs controversy, Winter Olympics luger killed (photos, videos)
The tragic death of Georgian luger, Nodar Kumaritashvili has sparked controversy as the Vancouver Winter Olympics prepares for its opening ceremony tonight at 7:30 ET. The horrific accident took place while Nodar Kumaritashvili was practicing his luge slide for the Olympics. Kumaritashvilli lost control and appeared to slide off of the ice, causing him to fly off the rail. Reports state that the 21 year old was traveling at a speed of 90 miles per hour when he crashed into an unbuffered pole. Reports state that immediate attempts to resuscitate Nodar Kumaritashvili failed and he died at the scene.
The video of Nodar Kumaritashvili’s crash appeared on YouTube but has repeatedly been taken down. YouTube cites copyright claim from the Winter Olympics 2010, while others feel that it is too horrific to watch. Warning! The video of the crash is below and photo stills are embedded in the slideshow as made available by the Associated Press. The photos and video are graphic!
There is no doubt that a weighty cloud of gloom and sadness presides over the upcoming events, as Nodar Kumaritashvili was scheduled to take part in the ceremony. The event was to be kept a secret and would reveal Canada’s finest, proudest moments. A mix of celebrities is expected to perform and millions of people will view the program worldwide. Tonight’s ceremony will be overshadowed by the tragic death of Nodar Kumaritashvili and questions regarding the safety of the track where he lost his life. The track is considered to be the fastest luge track worldwide. It has been closed down pending the outcome of an investigation by Olympic officials.
Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia is seen being given chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after crashing during a training run for the men's singles luge at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
The Following is a Beautiful Tribute to the Brave Spirit seen in Nodar Kumaritashvili
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Comments
The most tragic part is having the video posted anywhere. It should be removed.
I think the most tragic part is the feuds caused by all of this. Blaming, hatred, all of this is so unnecessary. Besides that if you are against this video being posted why are you looking for it to begin with?
tragic? have you seen what is available for viewing online? Come on... They shouldn't be flinging their unprotected bodies 95 miles an hour to begin with. What is the necessary element of that so called sport?
You don't see anything much in the video.
Didn't see people making a fuss when they were showing dead bodies of Hatai victims all over the news.
my deepest condolences to the family!
it's sad i hope this will never happen again!
from the netherlands
Wake up!! Good people die every day... He died doing what he wanted to be doing. Most of us will not.
Wake up!! Good people die every day... He died doing what he wanted to be doing. Most of us will not.
Stop fussing. A young sportive life is lost!!!...and a whole family suffering..!!!!!!!! May G'd be with all of them!!
People can't wait to watch sick stuff like this. It disgusts me. Where is the respect for his privacy, his family? The internet brings out the worst in us sometimes.
Oh, please, remove this video!!!
It is very sad!
look i do agree with the person saying that the sport is not necessary , but what sport actually is , footballers get hurt, yet that is a necessary sport ?..... at least he did pass doing somethingthat clearly made him happy , though i doubt that would be much of a condolence to his family , who our hearts are with... just raises questions that if they wanted to keep these athletes safe why were those pillars not covered and why was the wall so low ?
People can't wait to watch sick stuff like this. It disgusts me. Where is the respect for his privacy, his family? The internet brings out the worst in us sometimes.
People are talking about this video like its too graphic etc. This video is not more graphic that car chases and crashes that occure that they show on TV everyday. But mostly, the video and picture all have warning before you watch it that it might be too much for you. So it is unclear to me, why people who dont want to see it, still proceed to see it? And than complain that its too much. Just saying!
There really is noo reason to put in a slideshow! This is just this "writers
" attempt to get page views REPORT this to her manager by simple clicking the REPORT this article button and get it removed!! Really a slideshow????
Its funny how we have tons of videos of US soldiers being KIA and yet no one is complaining about that?! If you don't want to see this then don't view it!
Obviously this man knew he was doing a deadly sport, no one chooses to die and it is a loss. To say not to post a video of it, it's the start of the Olympics, such a tragic event ofcourse will make headlines news, this his Family knows also, since he is a famous sporter. I'm quite glad to see the video why, cause I want to know what idiot has the idea to put a steel pole lol right next besides a fast track like that, I mean I surf myself and even with those speeds a fatality is normal. You have to be a idiot to even design something like that over there. The steel pole killed the dude, he didn't feel a thing about it, it's tragic but it's life and death is still the power of life. I hope he is in a good place now, rest may be with his family.
Md.
that was awesome
Triste début pour les JO !!!
Quel dommage de ce tuer ainsi....
A 21 ans ça fait si jeune......
RIP Nodar Kumaritashvili
I think you arguing over this and debating wether he should or should not fling his body at 95km/hr (meesh) is by far disgusting. It is a tragic event - a human life is lost. Sympathy is what should be expressed not a sickening discussion... shame.
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Very sad that this happened on the eve of an olympics. RIP.
It is a sad video, however we in a time where everything is out there for people to see. If you didn't want to see it you shouldn't have looked it up, you don't have anyone to blame but yourself. I love to fish and if I have a heartattack or something on the water and someone video tapes it and you want to see go ahead. The fact is the guy died doing something he'll loved. We could all be so fortunate. My heart does go out to his friends and family, they're the ones that have to live with it.
R.I.P. Nodar
awwwww
=(.
you cant stop these sporting events. What they can provide is a safe environment for these deadly sports . The curve at which the accident happened looks very vulnerable for accidents of this type. Hope they provide better facilities!
I am sorry for the loss! RIP
sad events shroud these games. not to many people die chasing there dream.sympathy goes to his family and team mates.rip
Thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends, and fellow countrymen who were pulling for him. Such a tragic loss of a promising young man who probably wanted nothing more than to represent his country, doing what he loved. Rest in peace brother.
hOPES and prayers for his family. Im so sad when i heard that. I was crying so much when i heard it. and also hes young. Hes only 21 years old. Poor guy. I wish he could of lived. But hes in a better place now and may he rest in peace. LORD MAY U TAKE CAREOF HIM AND MAKE HIS SOUL BE BY HIS TEAM MATES TO LET THEM KNOW HE IS THERE. RIGHT BY HIS SIDE!! tHATS ALL IM ASKING FOR.
tHANK U!!!
If this happened to an american athlete that track would've probably be closed and there would be a lawsuit already and it would've been proven already that it is the safety failure not covered by olympic officials but since it is small country like Georgia they just blame the driver, of course, I didn't expect them to accept the responsability any way. Also there is a wooden wall built to cover those metal polls?? Its obvious that the safety was not considered here, rest in peace.
1.sue canucks
2.send the dow to this boy's poor family in Georgia
RIP Nodar, I'll pray for your soul ? , too bad you had to die because of someone's negligence.
am sorry for the loss, he was only so young !
bye bye
why him
i feel really bad for him. He was going to luge in the Olympics but then he crashes. Poor guy!
RIP
i never thought of luge as a bad sport until now
RIP
so sad. poor boy.
@Srbija he was from Georgia, there for American.
Why did he have to die. it wasnt awsome it was tragic. he was practicing for the olimpics, thats the last thing that should of happened who would want to die that way at that time. RIP. RIP. RIP. RIP. RIP have a great time in heaven. RIP :*-(
sad sight rip if you where a yank the sport would be suspended
i wonder what was going through is mind:( his poor family:( RIP
i am so sorry in feel so bad for him...he was so young and had a whole life ahead of him,....sorry family you have me blessings this is a horrible thing that happened and the other riders must be scared to go down it now...i think they should just not do the luge part this year...
RIP Nodar Kumaritashvili
Why was no safety walls????
I did not see any safety to cover the open, nor event a safety glass
Am sad for the loss. this will never happen in America. Even for the tram poling we used a net to keep it safe. Were was there mine people.
you people who are hating on us canadians really need to grow up it was a very sad loss and it doesnt matter AT ALL if he was canadians american russian or from any other country us canadians are 100% not at fault these risks are taken EVERY time these athletes start their runs and they are welll aware of it so stop blaming us and just have remorse for this young luger and his family and friends instead of putting the blame on souly the canadians.... if you dissagree here is my email big-r33sor@live.com
Rest In Peace Nodar...
@Rebecca
Georgia is also a country, not just a state in America. Did you even look at the pictures? They had the Georgian flag flying at the track.
horrible tragedy. rip . will not watch the olympics
@Rebecca
Oh my god.. This is a perfect example of one stupid american. Gerorgia is a country!
c'est vraiment tragique se qui c'est passé RIP Nodar
@Rebecca u suck :/
Canada, you suck! You're like the kid with lice.
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