Is it true that Canada wasn't letting Olympic competitors from other countries

[gateley]

practice on the courses in Whistler?

My brother just told me that, that there's a big flap (luge, downhill, etc.) but I hadn't heard it, so I'm not sure whether or not to believe it.

Have you heard anything along those line?

[barbtries]

1. well, a luger from Georgia

was killed practicing today, so it might not be true.

[gateley]

2. Obviously they weren't complaining about today. My bro just told me what he heard

(on the radio) was from an NYT article from last September complaining about it. But thanks for the sarcasm anyway. :)

[barbtries]

5. i actually wasn't being sarcastic.

i haven't been following the olympics at all but i read a story about the tragedy. :shrug:

[gateley]

6. Sorry I misinterpreted your meaning -- that's the problem with not being

able to 'hear' one another. And a DU affliction. :7 So please accept my apology. :hi:

[barbtries]

19. happy to

:hi:

[we can do it]

3. I Heard a Female Skier On the Radio Saying It Was Extremely Foggy

on her practice run (a German, I think)

[WolverineDG]

4. they had a test event there

not sure if it was only Canadians who were there, though.

dg

[nonconformist]

7. It's true. Canada refused to let other nations' athletes practice before Feb.

In an attempt to gain a home-country advantage.

http://deadspin.com/5470800/canada-limited-lugers-training-time-in-olympic-runup

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/21/sports/21olympics.html?_r=1

[Junkdrawer]

8. True

...

Questions will likely also be raised about Canada’s aggressive pursuit of the home ice advantage in Vancouver and Whistler.

Earlier this week, Andy Schmid, the performance director of British Skeleton called the Canadian decision to limit practice time for overseas competitors (compared to the more than 300 runs set aside for Canadian athletes) as irresponsible. “Please, let there be no accidents there because that could kill the sport,” he told Britain’s Telegraph.

...

http://www2.macleans.ca/2010/02/12/death-on-luge-track-leads-to-questions-about-course-canadian-competitiveness/

[rainbow4321]

9. That info is making the rounds today

Along with comments from athletes and other luge community people that were made about the course's safety. They had voiced their concerns well before today, apparently.

After watching the slo-mo video that NBC showed tonight, my first thoughts were why the walls were not higher or at the very least why no sturdy safety nets to keep the athletes from flying over the low walls.

[2Design]

10. probably not true - just like swift boat crap n/t

[nonconformist]

12. Sorry, but it's true. Unfortunately. nt

[2Design]

14. I don't believe gossip

I only believe Rachel and sometmes keith - the rest is sensationalism to rile up the people

[nonconformist]

16. I posted a NYT link above.

[2Design]

17. I believe the times is a rw newspaper n/t

[erikdane]

11. It has been like that for many years

The host nation don't let other countries train at the venue until a certain amount of days before the event. Its to prevent some countries from basically setting up camp years before at the venue.

Nothing unusual about it at all.

Normal procedure, and actual its not Canada who sets the rules, its the IOC. The IOC sets out rules for when the venues are opne and when athletes can train.

[gateley]

13. Thanks for the education! Should have known that the press was whipping

this into a frenzy as though Canada was the only host country who has done this -- and making it sound like it was THEiR decision, not the IOC's!

And welcome to DU! :hi:

[erikdane]

15. Thank you

I was in the 1992 and 1996 summer Olympics in sailing and both times, only the host country could train at the venue until the official opening of the Olympic Village. Nothing special about it.

And who ever gave me my heart. Thank you so very much.

[Darth_Kitten]

18. Right, because Canada has such a long history of undermining citizens of the world...

Why should we stop at athletes?