Italy – Danger On The Olympic Homefront

As the host country for the Torino OIympics, Italy is permitted to have its athletes compete in Olympic events – even though they did not meet the qualifying criteria. The International Olympic Committee offers such allowances as a “thank you” gesture to the host. As you may recall, for example, Greece fielded an inexperienced softball team for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens.

Some Italian athletes, who did not officially qualify for an event (e.g., via World Cup standings) are indeed experienced and are prepared for competition. However, in other cases, it appears that some have joined this team merely to become part of history! Take, for example, two ski jumpers, fairly unknown and relatively inexperienced in the Ski Jumping World Cup circuit, who seized this opportunity to compete in front of their home crowd. Earlier this week, two of these participants significantly injured themselves in training (see below) – and therefore, will not be competing during the Games. Due to an awkward landing and dangerous fall, one jumper had his spleen removed, and the other broke his nose and required sutures!

These incidents may just be the tip of the proverbial “iceberg”. Rumors abound that other inexperienced athletes may similarly compete in such events as skeleton – where serious injuries have occurred in recent months on this tricky and dangerous track.