Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili takes his first training run Friday in on the Olympic luge track in Whistler, British Columbia. On his second run, Kumaritashvili was killed in a crash. Photo courtesy of the Christian Science Moniter.
Today’s tragic death of Olympic luger athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili, just hours before tonight’s opening ceremonies, has raised hard questions about the safety of this year’s daredevil competitions and the impact they can have on the athletes.
Kumaritashvili, a 21 year-old representing the country of Georgia, died while practicing on what is considered the world’s fastest track. He lost control of his sled during training, went over the track wall and struck an unpadded steel pole near the finish line at Whistler Sliding Center, according to the AP wire. Doctors were unable to revive him and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stated that he died at the hospital.
International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said his death “clearly casts a shadow over these games.”
A recent article in the New York Times described the injuries of snowboarder Kevin Pearce, an Olympic gold hopeful who sustained a traumatic brain injury after attempting to land a double cork, the newest stunt in the category. The article goes in-depth on risky new Olympic sports, including the latest addition to the line-up – skier cross.
Casey Puckett, a skier cross Olympic hopeful and subject of the IndieFlix documentary “Appointment in Vancouver” faces some frightening odds in this Olympic event. Athletes race down a man-made course full of dips and jumps that they fly down and hope to avoid each other.
Thrilling television? Absolutely. But the impact on the athletes in their real lives, sustaining debilitating injuries and traumatic crashes, sound far away and hollow from the lust for gold and owning the American dream.
with Special Guest 2010 Olympic Skier Casey Puckett?
Listen to the Movie: Appointment in Vancouver (0:59)
“The only thing that would keep Casey Puckett from doing the Olympics
is flat out getting injured.” (2:12)
How the heck do you get front row seats to watch Casey Puckett race Skier Cross
in the 2010 Olympics? (3:41, 5:30, 6:08)
Anna and Seth: The Katherine Hepburn-Spencer Tracey team of filmmakers? (4:32)
“What’s important to me in producing projects is always finding a good story,
a good narrative…excellent characters who face big challenges.” (6:41)
Casey Puckett’s journey to his record-breaking 5th Olympics (8:09)
What makes Skier Cross so dangerous? (9:02)
“What defines ‘greatness’ is how you deal with things beyond your control.” (9:27)
Does Casey Puckett have to win the gold on February 21st? (10:55)
“I saw in Casey what I feel about filmmaking – just a complete dedication
to doing something that so many people would give up on.” (12:08)
Is Casey Puckett ready for “Dancing with the Stars”?
(12:47, 32:30, 34:35, 35:07)
How to find and tell the most compelling story in a documentary (13:59)
It’s all about the journey to the Olympics (15:42)
The most challenging aspect of making Appointment in Vancouver (16:32)
“The finished film looks outstanding.” (17:56)
How to see Appointment in Vancouver (18:55)
Casey Puckett’s first interview after his January 10th World Cup injury (19:35)
Can Casey recover? (20:38)
“He did the surgery that was necessary to get me back on the snow.” (21:42)
“How much pain are you in?” (21:53)
“Even without my ligaments I might still be able to perform,
but it’s going to be a challenge.” (22:27)
What will it take for Casey to “go for the gold” and make it? (23:38)
Casey’s reaction to Appointment in Vancouver (24:40, 34:05)
“If you didn’t feel pain, you wouldn’t be alive.” (25:05)
What goes through Casey’s mind before the start of a race? (25:20)
“In the first few seconds, either you’re looking at someone’s butt in front of you
or an open course.” (26:15)
“All of a sudden you’re going 50 mph…you have to trust
that your body is going to do what you visualized.” (27:20)
“I’m gonna state a goal: I’m gonna win that medal.” (28:05)
“I go to win, and hopefully this course might work out for me, especially,
if I can get my shoulder back. I mean I was a wreck. I was in the operating room
two days ago….I just came up against a whole other challenge,
but the good thing, the good news is that when I went down, I was on top.” (29:22)
“A week ago, I was pretty sure my year was over – that I wasn’t going to be able to ski in the Olympics… I still have hope.” (30:32)
Does ANYONE have extra tickets to the Olympics for Seth and Anna? (31:15, 38:06)
“Casey, you ski on February 21st. What happens February 22nd?” (31:42)
Post-injury interview: a discussion about Casey with Producer Seth Caplan
and Director Anna Christopher (36:06)
Seth Caplan’s “Gold Medal” (38:36, 40:07)
Anna Christopher’s “Gold Medal” (40:53, 41:43)
“We’ve been editing Appointment in Vancouver at breakneck speed
to make the film available to the public before the Olympics.” (41:25)
Lois Feinis IndieFlix Filmmaker Interviewer,
Podcaster, and Host for IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast. Lois is a recording artist, songwriter, and performer.
Her songs “It Ain’t Easy” and “Chasing the Moon”
are featured on IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast.
Listen to more of her music from her debut CD Step Into the Water at: www.LoisFein.com
THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Podcast Puzzle (1/5/10) is
“All of the Above”
THE ANSWER to IndieFlix Name That Voice (1/5/10) is
“Paul Fitzgerald -- Director, Actor, Writer of Forgiven” __________________________________________________________
1/26/10 Edition -- IndieFlix Play It Again Podcast
