After 2 Competitors Crash, Downhill Is Cut Short
The breathtaking downhill skiing always attracts people’s eyes, the speed, the quick movements, the skiers’ splendid skills, all these elements contribute to a visual shock. However, this article keeps us aware of the danger involved in this great sports event.
It is about the impact of poor and unsafe conditions on the women’s World Cup downhill in Aspen, Colo. The soft snow and limited visibility led to the crash of Anne-Sophie Barthet, a 19-year-old competitor from France. And before Barthet, Alexandra Meissnitzer of Austria, a veteran downhiller who sustained a bone bruise of the tibia in her left leg is the first victim. To people’s surprise, the event organizers reconsidered continuing the competition. There is no doubt that more and more skiers will encounter dangerous situations during such a dangerous race.There are many strong opponents to the race organizers’’ decision. The race referee, Atle Skaardal, defended the decision to start. The circuit’s reigning champion, Nicole Hosp of Austria, refused to compete after learning of Meissnitzer’s crash. But organizers were forced to delay, and then shorten the downhill after because several feet of snow fell on the course late in the week.
Why the race organizers insisted to prepare the course for the downhill despite a big snowstorm at the risk of the competitors’ lives? This is the questions about the proper balance between athlete safety and the demands of the sponsors. Since it was the first women’s World Cup downhill in Aspen since 1988, hundreds of thousands of dollars in sponsorships were tied to the broadcast and TV event. If the sponsors push hard, the organizers have to please and satisfy them at the cost of athletes’ safety. As far as I am concerned, this is an abnormal phenomenon which distorts the true meaning of sports. What our spectators expect to watch is a wonderful game with less injuries and crashes; we respect the athletes and cherish their life. If the race condition is unsafe, the wise decision is to delay or improve it, because a perfect game is a combination of good conditions and excellent players. The commercialism has always been in the center of controversy. I have to say that let commercialism and sponsorship stay away from sports, and maybe sports will comeback again as the pure and healthy popular pastimes for every sports lover.
Access:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/sports/othersports/09ski.html?_r=1&oref=slogin