I'm not sure if the sliders dislike the high speeds, MJ, I think this would only make the run that much more exciting to them.

But there is some question whether or not Nodar was experienced enough to be on the team. His father was a luger, as was his uncle/trainer; did they accede to his desires or did they push him too hard?

We'll never know, of course, but couldn't the IOC make some sort of eligibilty rules based on the number of competitions the athlete had previously entered?

Having been involved with my daughter's gymnastics, I know how much parents want their children to win,no matter what.

The coroner's verdict was that the athlete failed to adequately compensate going into the turn 16, causing him to lose control. In other words, he messed up.

In fairness to the organisers, that section of track now has a higher wall and the track shortened, with the men's start brought down to where the women start from, in order to try to slow competitors down.

In this sport their is always going to be the danger of serious injury or death if you crash. The althetes know and accept this. In this case, I think it is just a tragic accident.

My husband read that Nodar Kumaritashvili said to his father:

"I will either win or die"

His father also says that his son feared one of the turns on the course. His father feels that the Olympics "tested that track on my son."

Read his comments, explanation of his sons ability, and reaction to the allegations that his son caused the accident himself here:
The site also has still photos of the crash.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1251087/Vancouver-Winter-Olympics-Nodar-Kumaritashvilis-body-sent-home-Georgia.html

Thank you for the link, MJ. It's sad when any death occurs, especially when it's the death of a young person.

Shortening the track, raising the wall and padding the posts should have been done before the accident, imo, especially when so many accidents had happened at the final curve.

His being frightened didn't help, either. Had he been my son and I knew he was frightened, I would have told him not to do it--there's always the 'next time.'