Slovenia may sue Vancouver Olympic organizers - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

HOOT · 02-19-2010, 08:05 PM

http://www.leaderpost.com/sports/Slo...935/story.html

Quote:

The Slovenian Olympic Committee is considering legal action against the 2010 Winter Olympics organizing committee because of inadequate safety precautions that resulted in a serious injury to cross-country skier Petra Majdic.

What sport isn't VANOC going to be sued for by the end of the games?

HPLovecraft · 02-19-2010, 08:08 PM

And Vancouver posters wonder why people are slagging on these Olympics? It ain't just CP.

CokeMachineGlow · 02-19-2010, 08:11 PM

the olympics are going great , we're just being anti vancouver

jar_e · 02-19-2010, 08:12 PM

More remarkable is she broke a bunch of ribs and punctured a lung and still got bronze. But with all events, all these tracks, courses, etc. have been approved by their governing body so its not fair to simply lay blame on VANOC (though that does seem to be the cool thing to do).

Its not like these tracks are randomly made.

VANFLAMESFAN · 02-19-2010, 08:13 PM

If there were zero problems at previous Olympics, I would understand the sentiment. But I just can't buy into the negativity and I truly believe a lot has to do with the fact that it is 2010 and the amount of media, blogging and other methods is unprecedented. An Olympics has never been covered like these and naturally will be the most scrutinized. The two go hand in hand.

And all you CP haters of the games should get off your ass and come to Vancouver and tell me that these games suck. The atmosphere will be the legacy of these games in this city. Maybe not worldwide, but the locals are for the most part extremely happy! And this is coming from a guy who NEVER wanted them in the first place. Up until 2 weeks ago, I was loathing them, but I have since bought in.

jar_e · 02-19-2010, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

And all you CP haters of the games should get off your ass and come to Vancouver and tell me that these games suck. The atmosphere will be the legacy of these games in this city. Maybe not worldwide, but the locals are for the most part extremely happy!

But the world doesn't see the atmosphere or gets to party on the streets. They read headlines.

And I'm not trying to be a hater, I'm a huge vancouver fan and am on a plane tomorrow morning to watch the games...but perception is a powerful thing.

VANFLAMESFAN · 02-19-2010, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jar_e

But the world doesn't see the atmosphere or gets to party on the streets. They read headlines.

And I'm not trying to be a hater, I'm a huge vancouver fan and am on a plane tomorrow morning to watch the games...but perception is a powerful thing.

Fair comment, I'm just saying that, as a guy from Vancouver, I don't see these games as bad as they are being reported.

browna · 02-19-2010, 08:19 PM

After all this, finished 3rd and then showed up in a wheel chair to the medal ceremony dramatically, and now wants to sue.

Give me a break.

Likely wants to justify staying in Canada for a "trial", and then defect like it was 1987.

jar_e · 02-19-2010, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

Fair comment, I'm just saying that, as a guy from Vancouver, I don't see these games as bad as they are being reported.

Nah I agree...there sure does seem to be a lot of criticism around the games...whether its warranted or not is up for debate.

Super Nintendo Chalmers · 02-19-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

The atmosphere will be the legacy of these games in this city.

The atmosphere will fade soon after the games are over. Right now, nothing is popping out as a lasting effect the games will have on the city. For me, anyway.

JRunn14 · 02-19-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

And Vancouver posters wonder why people are slagging on these Olympics? It ain't just CP.

CP and the British Press...the two most negative media outlets on the Planet

The Olympics have been amazing and I believe they will just get better in week 2. Looking like it could be one of the most competitve/exciting hockey tournaments of all time.

As far as a lawsuit...i'm fairly sure all athletes sign a waiver...I think VANOC should make all the venues into NERF worlds so no one gets hurt.

zamler · 02-19-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browna

After all this, finished 3rd and then showed up in a wheel chair to the medal ceremony dramatically, and now wants to sue.

Give me a break.

Likely wants to justify staying in Canada for a "trial", and then defect like it was 1987.

I dunno, seeing she somehow managed a medal even after getting a *hit kicking from nature, seems pretty likely that she would have won the Gold otherwise. Although exactly what would be accomplished by a lawsuit? Not a Gold medal.

JRunn14 · 02-19-2010, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super Nintendo Chalmers

The atmosphere will fade soon after the games are over. Right now, nothing is popping out as a lasting effect the games will have on the city. For me, anyway.

Those kids at the events...will find inspiration which will only have a positive effect on sport in the city. I've seen multiple stories of Athletes saying that watching the 88 games is when they decided they wanted to compete in the Olympics one day.

Resolute 14 · 02-19-2010, 08:30 PM

Anyway, on the topic, I can't say as I really blame the Slovenians. When you watch the video of this girls fall, there is a steep hill right beside the track that ends in a tree. I honestly can't believe nobody thought to either move the track farther away from this drop or put up a fence. Silly negligence on someone's part, and this girl suffered significant injuries as a result.

The fact that she won a bronze medal despite them is just unbelievable.

VANFLAMESFAN · 02-19-2010, 08:39 PM

When are people going to realize that accidents in sports happen?? It's the nature of the beast?? If a ski jumper broke his leg on a crash, would people be up in arms?? No, because it's part of the sport. The Slovenian was taking part in Cross Country Skiing. When I think of Cross Country, I think of people skiing in a forest, out in nature. Not on a controlled indoor surface. It's the wild, deal with the pros and cons of it. She made her bed, she should lie in it.

Organizers can only plan and anticipate so much. It's unfortunate what happened, but it's the nature of the beast. I would be shocked to see any neglegence on VANOC's part. It's sports. It's bound to happen.

zamler · 02-19-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

The Slovenian was taking part in Cross Country Skiing.

Sounds like She unwillingly became a downhill skier.

Resolute 14 · 02-19-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANFLAMESFAN

When are people going to realize that accidents in sports happen?? It's the nature of the beast?? If a ski jumper broke his leg on a crash, would people be up in arms?? No, because it's part of the sport. The Slovenian was taking part in Cross Country Skiing. When I think of Cross Country, I think of people skiing in a forest, out in nature. Not on a controlled indoor surface. It's the wild, deal with the pros and cons of it. She made her bed, she should lie in it.

Like it or not, this is not in the wild. This is a controlled course, and some idiot decided to leave a dangerous spot unguarded.

There is risk in all sports, but that does not absolve organizers when their negligence creates an unnecessary risk to the competitors.

Hemi-Cuda · 02-19-2010, 08:47 PM

so some Slovenian woman falls, breaks some ribs and punctures a lung, and she STILL medals? all while our Canadian favorites can't even reach the podium. that's a little depressing

zamler · 02-19-2010, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

There is risk in all sports, but that does not absolve organizers when their negligence creates an unnecessary risk to the competitors.

They key word being unnecessary. I highly doubt any of the athletes enter races with the full expectation that they may slip and fall down a gully and collapse a lung or two. Yes accidents happen, within the confines of the sport itself, not some extraordinary event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or prepared for.

VANFLAMESFAN · 02-19-2010, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Like it or not, this is not in the wild. This is a controlled course, and some idiot decided to leave a dangerous spot unguarded.

There is risk in all sports, but that does not absolve organizers when their negligence creates an unnecessary risk to the competitors.

So what, they have to have every single inch of the course padded or fenced?? How can you forsee someone going off course like she did?? You can't. IT'S AN ACCIDENT!!!