Death is not entertainment

Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili

Last Friday, the valiant return of the Olympic games was tarnished by tragedy when Nodar Kumaritashvili, a 21-year-old luger from the country of Georgia, lost control of his sled during training and died instantly during a brutal crash.

Seemingly instantly, videos of Kumaritashvili’s death began circulating around the Internet like the newest YouTube sensation. Begin typing Kumaritashvili’s name on your preferred search engine — Google, for instance — and you will yield results not of his name or legacy, but instead of raw video footage from the accident that claimed his young life.

There is no need for this. It is not educating, nor is it entertaining. It’s sick.

I have not watched the video itself — nor do I ever intend do — but it is said to be incredibly graphic, showing everything from the luger beginning his run to paramedics desperately trying to revive his lifeless, bloodstained body.

What twisted human being would actually want to view such video? Who would enjoy watching an innocent life end?

It sickens me that Kumaritashvili will likely be remembered not as a promising young athlete, but instead as an online fad whose death was viewed by thousands, if not millions. He should be honored, not exploited for page views. I feel for his poor family, who must contend not only with the loss of an incredible young man, but also with footage of his death made available to the public to watch at their convenience.

Wherever Nodar Kumaritashvili is now, I pray he is at peace. He certainly isn’t getting any here.

—Whitney Knight