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March 11, 2010
Jules Libertin
The fear of losing is trumping the fear of death in the Winter Olympic Games as athletes are pushing the limits in every aspect. But you can only become so fast and strong before you start to flirt with death.
Athletes want to win so badly that they will risk everything to stand on the podium, even their lives. There has been a death accompanied by numerous injuries due to the desire to jump higher, be swifter and go faster.
“I like the Winter Olympics a lot more than the Summer Olympics simply because the athletes are more extreme,” senior Anna Zedar said. “It is entertaining to watch them push the limits with new stunts and tricks.”
While it is entertaining for us to watch, it can be deadly for the athletes. Snowboarder Kevin Pearce struck his forehead on the wall of the half-pipe while flipping and twisting through a double cork trick which resulted in traumatic brain injury. Skier John Kucera cart wheeled down a mountain and snapped his left shin in two. Bobsledder Todd Hays crashed and had bleeding in the brain which ended his career. These are just three out of the many accidents that have ended athletes’ careers in the Olympics so far because they were pushing the limits.
“My favorite athlete, Lindsey Vonn, is skiing with a shin problem,” said junior Katie Christowski said. “Even with the injury she still won gold and silver medals. That’s crazy; I don’t think I have the will power to do that.”
Like Vonn, the athletes will let nothing stop them. Another example is speed skater J.R. Celski, who slashed his right blade against his left thigh to the bone during a spill, but still managed to win the 1500 meter short track event the next night.
“I understand that the athletes are willing to risk everything,” senior David Bott said. “They have trained their whole life for that one moment and they are not going to let an injury get in the way of a chance of winning the gold.”
While some athletes have surpassed death, others have not in the Olympics. Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died in a practice run. Kumaritashvili raced down what was known to be the fastest luge course ever created. Along with others, Kumaritashvili knew the risks of competing on such a fast hill but thought it would be worth it for the gold. On his way down he took a sharp turn and fell of the course; he died soon after. However, other lugers still had the guts to compete after the death.
“I understand the athletes’ determination, but I was very upset about the death,” yearbook moderator Tina Braman said. “I thought they crossed the line.”
NBC’s Brian Williams noted on the subject, “It’s in their DNA.” Talent and determination are basic traits in these athletes but apparently so is recklessness.
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