Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili Killed: Despite Tragedy, Competition Should Go On

The terrible accident that resulted in the death of Luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili during a training run should serve as a warning, but not a deterrent to continuing the event.

Kumaritahsvili’s death, while tragic, was a freak accident. While there are lessons to be learned here, the other athletes probably have a better chance of being struck by lightning than suffering a fatal injury.

This only is the fourth death in the Winter Olympics and the first death since 1992, for those interested in the odds.

The track is considered the fastest in the world in a sport where speed is king.  Luge participants travel at speeds in excess of 90 mph on average. This isn’t just a pleasant sled ride down the hill in the park.

If anything, the accident should bring focus to the event, showing the world these athletes are taking chances as great as any NASCAR driver or X-Games participant. The Luge track is not for the easily intimidated, nor is it for the faint of heart.

There have been deaths on the ski slopes in the past, and the games have soldiered on. Bearing this in mind, there is no reason not to continue with the Luge events as scheduled.

For the moment, the Luge track is closed as investigators try and figure out what caused Kumaritashvili to be ejected over the track’s wall and into the metal pole. At the very least, expect the metal pole to have a couple of feet of padding added to it, as well as every other metal pole surrounding the course.

Kumaritashvili’s crashed earlier this week during training runs, and other participants have crashed as well. Like auto racing, crashing is a part of the sport and, occasionally, there is tragedy.

Life is full of risks, and Kumaritashvili knew the risks when he decided to pursue perfection in this sport. The speeds these racers accelerate to inevitably lead to accidents.

Canceling this event would be the wrong thing to do. It would dishonor Kumaritashvili, who wanted to participate and wanted to succeed. If the IOC decides to cancel the event, they would deny the remaining participants the chance to fulfill their dreams.

The Olympics aren’t about one person, or even one event. Nobody wants to see any athletes injured or killed, but sometimes these things happen. The only thing anyone can do is pick themselves up and move on.