14°c Light rain showers
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Slider's death won't sway Montgomery
Shocked by tragedy, but skeleton athlete feels track is safe
Manitoba’s Jon Montgomery won on the same track just over a year ago. (JEFF MCINTOSH / THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES)
-
Complete coverage of the Paralympic games in London.
VANCOUVER -- It's a tight-knit fraternity of daredevils and thrill-seekers who are used to the scrapes, bruises and broken bones that come with being a luge, bobsleigh or skeleton athlete.
And so when a tragedy like Friday's death of Georgian luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili occurs, the first reaction of all the sliding competitors -- including Russell's Jon Montgomery -- is of shock and horror.
And the second reaction is to liken it to a death in the family.
"My heart bleeds for his family. It's a horrible accident. You never expect this but we all know the risks of competing in extreme sports and sliding sports are just that... extreme," said Montgomery in an email to The Free Press Friday afternoon from Whistler before he headed to Vancouver for the opening ceremonies at B.C. Place. "My thoughts are with his family in this trying time."
Now while is may sound cold or callous, it's also in every athlete's DNA to push on after a tragedy like this and focus on what's directly in front of them -- an opportunity to compete on the biggest stage in their sports: the Olympics. And Montgomery, who has been chasing his Olympic dream for the better part of eight years, is no different.
"This will change nothing for me in how I approach my training and races next week," he said in the email. "I feel that the track is very safe for myself and all my fellow competitors."
The Whistler Sliding Centre track where Friday's tragedy occurred is the same venue for the bobsleigh and skeleton, Montgomery's sport. It's not certain what officials will do to make the run safer or how Kumaritashvili's death may affect the schedule of events.
Montgomery isn't scheduled to compete until next Thursday and Friday in four heats running over two days but has been practising at the same venue.
Many sliding athletes had already been openly critical of the track's safety and its speed -- it's already known as one of the fastest in the world -- in training runs prior to what unfolded there on Friday and Kumaritashvili's crash was one of several on the day.
But Montgomery speaks from experience when he vouches for the run. He won the first World Cup event on the track just over a year ago.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 13, 2010 D3
More Print Stories
- Back to Top
- Return to Print Stories
Poll
Most Popular Print Stories
- AP Sources: Singapore member Ng Ser Miang to announce candidacy for IOC president
- Australian Olympic swimmers face sanction over sleeping pill use; admit to childish pranks
- Stefka Kostadinova re-elected for 3rd term as president of Bulgarian Olympic Committee
- Brassard appointed assistant chef de mission for 2014 Olympics in Sochi
- Istanbul 2020 bid highlights improved transportation, infrastructure investment plans
- As time passes, significance of running fades for everyone but Oscar Pistorius
- Madrid, Istanbul, Tokyo make 2020 Games pitches at Oceania general assembly
- Putin says he's sure Sochi Games preparations will be completed despite cost overruns
- Azerbaijan announces dates and sports for 2015 European Games
- Organizers of 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics say games will promote peace in Korea
- Edmonton police arrest diving coach on sex-related charges
- Australian Olympic swimmers face sanction over sleeping pill use; admit to childish pranks
- AP Sources: Singapore member Ng Ser Miang to announce candidacy for IOC president
- Column: Lonely at the top, judo's giant Teddy Riner set sights on becoming an Olympic legend
- Azerbaijan announces dates and sports for 2015 European Games
- British PM David Cameron promises limited security co-operation with Russia for Sochi Olympics
- Organizers of 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics say games will promote peace in Korea
- Tokyo 2020 bid president Tsunekazu Takeda emphasizes safety of Japanese capital
- IOC investigates global system to monitor betting
- Lebanon's skiers fight for spots in Sochi to race for only Arab country in Winter Olympics
- Report: High levels of arsenic in blood of ex-Russian Olympic official who was forced to quit
- Column: Lonely at the top, judo's giant Teddy Riner set sights on becoming an Olympic legend
- Oscar Pistorius' older brother Carl in court again for continuation of culpable homicide trial
- Australian Olympic swimmers face sanction over sleeping pill use; admit to childish pranks
- Oly dreams close to reality
- 5 rings over Tulsa? Supporters want Oklahoma's 2nd-largest city to bid for 2024 Olympics
- Stefka Kostadinova re-elected for 3rd term as president of Bulgarian Olympic Committee
- Edmonton police arrest diving coach on sex-related charges
- USOC CEO Scott Blackmun says 10 cities interested in bidding for 2024 Summer Olympics
- Swimming, athletics have funding cut by government, new Olympic sports get increases
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.