Track still scares participants

It's a problem that appears to have no answer.

I'm referring to the controversy that continues to swirl about the sliding track for luge, skeleton and bobsled at Whistler for the Vancouver Winter Olympics. Everyone is well aware of the death of a Georgian luger, but it seems that death has left virtually no impression of the IOC or track officials.

Some say it so fast that safety is almost an afterthought. Speed dominates and that's all that matters...until another potentially horrifying moment happens.

Point here. A "barrier" was erected near the location where Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia was basically ejected from the track and crashed into unpadded poles located at that section of track. A wooden barrier. A lip on the top edge of that curve was also built to in some way ensure that specific event would not occur there again. I guess that's the lesser of two evils. Most, if not all, people would rather get splinters than metal shavings.

It should also be noted that driver error has been cited as the cause for the crash that resulted in Kumaritashvili's death. But one thing still reverberates in my mind. He told his father the night previous to his horrific crash that he would either win or die. Almost like he was having a premonition...

The crashes for the skeleton competition were not near as numerous. The opposite can be said about the bobsled. At least three more yesterday. With every run that's taken, there is always the potential of a crash regardless of which track you're on or where you're at on that track. But this track seems to bite back more than others. This track has taken on a life of its own.

So, when is it mandatory for either the body that oversees bobsledding and/or the IOC to step in and say, "Look. The danger has to be alleviated. Either slow the sleds or slow the track."?

It went past that point long ago. Before the Olympics even started, concerns were raised about the speed. American pilot Shauna Rohbock (right) was one of the earliest to voice that concern. I don't think her words were taken seriously. I'll let federation president Bob Storey tell you of Rohbock.

"She always has something to say."

So, Rohbock is telling you this and because you view her as possibly being a bit outspoken, you're choosing to ignore her?

"It's just so fast," Rohbock said, later adding, "I think they went a little overboard on this track."

Fast? 90+ mph to be exact. As I was watching, I even thought I heard "93 mph" said. Rohbock is right in saying this track is "stupid fast".

But the boat is still totally being missed here. Warning signs were given months ago. Another was given the day the games began. And those signs are still being ignored.

Before the 2-man bobsled competition even started, a medal contender withdrew. The pilot for Swiss-1, Beat Hefti, was forced to withdraw due to a concussion he suffered after his sled crashed during a practice run. Hefti is only the defending World Cup champ and was the gold medal favorite. Another Swiss diver would soon follow suit. On that Wednesday night's training run, there were eight crashes.

After the first run of USA-1 last night, pilot Steve Holcomb admitted that there was very little time to react, especially in what is referred to as the "50-50" turn as it's was dubbed by Holcomb's team. Holcomb would finish both runs and currently stands in 4th.

The same fortune cannot be said for Great Britain-1. The most spectacular of the crashes of yesterday resulted in the brakeman be thrown out the back of the sled. The pilot, John Jackson, didn't escape unscathed either. From the ejected brakeman's spiked shoes, Jackson wore injuries resembling a grizzly bear's attack.

Some are saying it's the coaches that are concerned. Sounds like those participating are saying the same thing.

You have world class athletes telling you something's not right.

Next to watching ice hockey, the bobsled is my favorite event. I even go to NBC's sister site, universalsports.com to watch it online.

This situation needs to be corrected before another unwillingly departs.