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Rest in peace - the first person killed in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
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A terrible start to the games, there are some horrific videos of this on Youtue. However, Luge is a dangerous sport, and everybody competing knows this can happen. In a way it's right that the Olympic track should be the fastest, most dangerous track in the world.
no worriesPoor guy! I have removed the link as not sure this is really the place for 'snuff films'
Just watched it. You can see that the line he took made him catch the inside of the bend which launched him straight into those metal supports.
Why on earth are they not padded or even better enclosed by some some perspex sheeting so if somebody does launch off that corner they would deflect off at a narrow angle down the track rather than have a head on 90mph jolt.
I hope they modify it.
What are your views on the news coverage of this event?
I watched the earlier broadcasts which showed the full video at least twice, including a slo-mo replay, then showed stills taken on both sides of the track, first of the accident itself including the moment of impact with the metal post then of the paramedics attemting to rescussitate.
Later on they only showed a few stills and none of the moment of impact.
What do you think is and isn't acceptable coverage - and if video and stills exist of an accident like this is it right or wrong to broadcast them - especially knowing that the full and unedited piece can be seen on UTube anyway?
I don't think it is necessary and is somewhat macarbe. They could show pictures of the track itself if talking about the safety aspect but I see no reason to show the moment of the poor lad's death.
Tricky one, not seen the news, but saw the original video posted. Its a very danagerous sport but thats what makes these people so different to most people, it is the danger that attracts them, same as any sport like it. You'l always look to go faster higher etc, i know from myself as i take part in some sports most people wouldnt even consider doing.
i wouldnt mind it being on youtube so much if the comments were turned off.
youtube is full of death and moronic kids being disrespectful.
i think if one close relative objects to the coverage whilst they are grieving then the media should respect the wishes. But then thats why I watch BBC News and dont read newspapers.
Could they? And what impact would that have to a news audience?
None whatsoever.
And why shouldn't it be shown? We watch plane crashes at airports where hundreds die, watch thousands being swept to thier deaths by tidal waves...
We happily watch similar things on WW2/Korea/Vietnam/Falklands documentaries on the Discovery and History channels...soldiers falling on the Normandy beaches, aircraft crashing in flames, tank crews obliterated in fire and smoke on the Russian Front, British soldiers and sailors trapped on ships in Falkland Sound...the wounded brought ashore trailing half-amputated limbs...
Those people are equally dead and maimed - all that's changed is the clarity...
Is our squeamishness a by-product of being able to see things too clearly, too graphically, too colourfully?
Is death OK if it's presented in grainy B&W or blurry out of focus? Is the level of shock commensurate with the quality of the images?
On a purely technical aside: I was fascinated by the fact that the stills photographer actually managed to track the subject throughout, despite him taking an unexpected line...