On the day the world had set its eyes on Vancouver, British Columbia for the festivities and excitement of the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games, tragedy struck during what should have been a routine practice. Just hours before the ceremonies were scheduled to take place, luger Nodar Kumaritashvilli, died after a tragic training accident, travelling at a rate of nearly 90 mph. The young man from the nation of Georgia was only 21 years old and was poised to compete in his first Olympic Games.
The shocking news brought the International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge to tears. In a press conference, Rogge reflected on the first-time Olympian’s death, saying, “The IOC is in deep mourning,” and that the luger’s death “clearly casts a shadow over these Games.”
The International Luge Federation and the officials in charge of the Vancouver Games moved the starting position forward on the track in order to slow down what was considered the fastest track ever. Despite these efforts, one has to wonder whether these Games will be remembered more for what happened prior to the opening ceremony rather than the events themselves.
It seems that tragedy and mourning have often accompanied the modern Olympic Games since they began in 1896. The Games have previously been tarnished by terrorism, political propaganda, racial tension, alleged cheating and, like in this case, accidental death.
Thinking back only to 2002 at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, one remembers a judging scandal which resulted in the OIC awarding two gold medals in Pairs Figure Skating, belittling the sense of competition and integrity of the sport.
On a much more tragic level, a bombing which left two people dead and nearly 100 injured stained the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta. Politically, Cold War tensions blotted out the beauty of the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow and the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, resulting in many nations boycotting the events.
Just eight years before Moscow, the radical Palestinian group Black September brought the 1972 Games in Munich, West Germany to a halt as they held Israeli athletes hostage. After the standoff was over, 17 people were left dead, including 11 Israelis.
Displays of racial discrimination have never been more noticeable than in the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin where Adolf Hitler was present to watch American Jesse Owens win four gold medals. Although it was against Olympic rules, Nazi propaganda was often draped over the German stadiums.
All of the aforementioned events have painted humanity in a bad light on an international stage. When the best athletes of the world have come together to compete for their respective countries, scandal and tragedy have not been far behind.
While Kumaritashvilli’s death occurred as a result of a freak training accident, the stench of tragedy lingers nonetheless. Now it remains to be seen whether these Vancouver Games will leave a legacy of sadness and despair.
After the Beijing Summer Games in 2008 had a flurry of outstanding performances including Michael Phelps’ eight gold medals and Usain Bolt’s world record time in the 100 meters, one can only hope that feats near that magnitude might be achieved in these Games to offset the inauspicious beginning.
Winter Olympics XXI begin amid tragedy
Published: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Updated: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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