“I’m Afraid of This Spot”: Olympian Who Died at Winter Olympics Had Mentioned His Scare a Day Before

During the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, when Shaun White claimed his second gold medal, there was a rather unfortunate accident that marred the event. In a shocking incident, Georgian luge athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili, lost his life on the Olympic track.

Notably, Luge is one of the most dangerous sports in the world that can carry people up to 85-90 miles per hour. Before the Winter Olympics, the fastest recorded time in the famous Whistler track, Canada, was 96 miles per hour.

Often known as a track with dangerous curves, Nodar aimed to win the gold medal at the Games that year, but fate had something else in store. A family blessed with talented lugers, his father revealed how Nodal spoke about a particular spot on the track before his untimely demise.

Tragedy at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

It was said that Nodar traveled at a speed of 90mph during the time of impact. Losing control of the sled on one dangerous curve, he flipped from it and hit his head first on the beams beside the track. The sound of the impact was shocking, as paramedics rushed to tend to him.

Notably, before the competition started, Nodar called his father up to discuss that curve. His father, David Kumaritashvili, revealed the details of that conversation.

“He had trained there before, he had trained there before. That’s why he told me, ‘I’m afraid of this spot,” said his father.

But when an athlete trains for the Olympic Games, their primary aim is to win at all costs, and nothing else. When his father asked him to not risk it and break during those curves, Nodar simply wanted to win.

“No Dad, I will risk it, what will be will be.’ And he took the risk,” Nodar said to his father.

READ MORE- “I’m Not Very Far Behind”: Shaun White Optimistic About Wrapping Up His Career With Fourth Gold Medal at Beijing Winter Olympics 2022

Legend of Georgia

Following this tragic incident, the organizers and athletes rescheduled the competition. It was moved 600 feet before the spot as the games resumed. Moreover, they built a wooden wall to cover the beams that Nodar hit. Notably, every year, February 20th is recognized as his day of remembrance as the sporting community pays homage to the young star.

Nodar, a brave soul, wanted to win at all costs, and that desire is surely admirable. Unlucky to face the tragedy, he will forever be remembered for being brave on the track. Most certainly, the essence of Nodar’s Olympic spirit will grow forever.

Watch this story- “We Were Both Crying: Ashleigh Barty Reveals She Had an Emotional Breakdown Before Semi-Finals