Can Olympic skiing be made safer?

Although downhill skiing may be entertaining to watch at the Olympics, the sport is actually very dangerous and has caused many injuries. It has even caused death to 2009 downhill champ Canadian John Kucera and French slalom star Jean-Baptiste Grange. With the newest technology in ski gear, the racers have been able to go faster that ever before, causing even more injuries. The International Ski Federation is trying to make downhill skiing safer by making smaller jumps and new gates with flags that rip way upon contact.

I think that it is good that the International Ski Federation is trying to make downhill skiing a little safer to try and prevent more injuries and deaths. I think that they shouldn't change too much about it because it would take away from the sport dramatically. Obviously the athletes that compete in this sport know that it is super dangerous, and yet they are still willing to sacrifice their bodies for the sport. If the athletes did not want to risk injury, then they would not participate in the sport. Therefore, I think that it is okay to make some minor changes in the sport of downhill skiing so that not as many injuries happen that could cost someone their whole season, but I think it is important that some of the same traditions of downhill skiing should stay in tact so that it is still enjoyable for the world to watch at the Olympics.


Lindsey Vonn crashes during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women's Giant Slalom in December.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/15/skiing.safer/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+(RSS%3A+Top+Stories)