Canadian Top Freeskier Seriously Injured in Skiing Accident

One of Canada’s top contenders for the 2014 Winter Games is fighting for her life in the hospital

Canada’s golden girl of freeskiing is in critical condition in a hospital in Salt Lake City Utah after an accident on the slopes in Park City Utah.

Sarah Burke was training on the slopes near Park City Utah when she suffered an accident that caused a serious head injury according to the Toronto Star. Some reports say that the double defending gold medalist in the Winter X-games had to be resuscitated by medical personal before she was transported to the hospital where she is listed in critical condition and in a coma.

The website, Powder.com, is reporting that according to a witness, the 29-year-old “whiplashed” over on her side just after she landed a trick off a wall at the bottom of the resorts superpipe.

“We’re a bit shell-shocked right now,” said Peter Judge, CEO of the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association. “It’s tough to read. The signs are dramatic and catastrophic, but it’s hard to gauge how dramatic and catastrophic. The same treatment and symptoms can be on a broad scale.”

Burke is the daughter of ski racers and grew up in Midland Ont. Currently she lives with her husband in Squamish, B.C. Burke is considered a pioneer of her sport often competing with men because there were no women’s events to participate.

Burke is married to fellow pro-star Rory Bushfield. Burke played a critical role in getting the slopestyle event added to the 2014 games and is expected to garner gold medals at the winter games in Russia.

“She’s kind of been the face of the sport and technically pushed the sport on the front end,” said Judge. “She wouldn’t sit on her laurels. She always pushed it to the next level and defined herself on what she could do, not measuring herself by others around her.”

She took her roll seriously and she knew there was a price to pay. In an interview with Vancouver Magazine, she had this to say:

“Broken hands, ribs, nose. Torn-up knees. I’ve knocked myself out a few times. And my shoulder kept popping out, so I had to have surgery. The worst was at the X Games in Aspen. It was a snowy day, really slow. I didn’t get up enough speed and landed short on a 75-foot jump. I broke my L3 on impact. So, yeah, I’ve had my share.”

American Speed Skaters Building a Better Team One Skater at a Time

Until this point, the US has relied on one sole speed skater to bolster their showing in The Games of The Winter Olympics – this could be changing.

The reigning world champion and two-time medalist in Winter Olympic Games, Katherine Reutter, has represented short-track speed skating for the U.S. team in fine form for many years now. Thanks to committed competitors and budding young talent, that responsibility could be shared with a few others.

Depth is beginning to show in the American short-track speed skating team building behind Reutter. Combined, the US team has managed an impressive 11 out of 13 medals for the team in the World Cup competitions so far.

During January at the U.S. Short-Track Championships at the Olympic Oval in Utah, this new talent will be on full display.

“Our ladies team is one of the top teams in the world at this point,” said Chris Weaver, the short-track manager for U.S. Speed skating. “We’ve never had that before. It’s really exciting.”

Although the team is gelling and working well, in the upcoming championship, the team will not be competing against any powerful international teams like South Korea. This is a U.S. Specific competition.

In addition to the women’s team, the men’s team for the U.S. will also compete. This is not just for bragging rights; this competition will also help to determine who among the athletes will find their place on the World Cup races to be held in Shanghai, China.

Ruetter is still the favorite and there is little doubt she will assure herself a place on the World Cup team, but the up and coming athletes are strong and improving with each competition, they enter.

Ruetter herself commented to the Salt Lake City Tribune, “For the first time this year, I feel like we work as a team better than we ever have before,” Reutter said. “Everyone is so supportive of each other in training; everyone wants to help everyone else get just a little bit stronger. As far as depth goes, we’re becoming one of the strongest, deepest teams in the world.”

No doubt by the time the 2014 Olympics that will be held in Sochi Russia roll around, the U.S. should make a good showing.

 

Sochi Taking Steps to Raise Safety for Athletes in Avalanche-prone Caucasus Mountains

Alpine skiers can rest a little easier knowing that the organizers of the 2014 Winter Olympics are working to increase safety for them.

At the Sochi 2014 Olympics, the skiing events will take place high on the slopes of the Caucasus Mountains that surround the Black Sea. These mountains are known for their high amount of avalanches that occur. So how do you protect the skiers and the spectators from this risk? You install anti-avalanche devices also known as gasexes.

The Olympic organization committee has begun installation of these devices not only for the upcoming Olympics but also for the Alpine World Cup events that will be held at the Roza Khutor ski resort this upcoming February. This will be the first World Cup that Russia will host.

Last February, Russia hosted the Europa Cup in the same venue and they were forced to shorten the men’s downhill skiing event by a reported several hundred meters due to the threat of avalanche.

"We had too much snow at the top of the course so we decided to lower the start of the men's event," the area's managing director Alexander Belokobylsky told Reuters.

"The athletes' safety is a paramount concern so you don't want to jeopardize it in any way.
However, at the same time, you don't want to compromise any of the sporting elements, especially because a World Cup race is a top-level event compared to the Europa Cup. So we added 30 extra gasexes. We had four last year -- now we have 34." Belokobylsky stated.

The world is set to descend on Sochi in the winter of 2014 for the Olympic Games. Russia seems to be taking their responsibility in hosting these games very seriously.

Sochi 2014 Games will see a Caribbean Island Participate in Ice Hockey

Due to the efforts of the Jamaica Olympic Ice Hockey Team (JOIHT), the Caribbean island begins to assemble an ice hockey team for 2014.

Probably the last thing you would think of when it comes to the beautiful Caribbean island of Jamaica is anything to do with ice, let alone a sport involving an ice covered floor, and yet that is just what Jamaica hopes for after the 2014 Olympics to be held in Sochi Russia.

The non-profit organization JOIHT that is based in Colorado, Tuesday received an endorsement from the Jamaica Olympic Association to assemble a squad of ice hockey players with the goal to compete in the 2014 winter games.

Currently there are several hockey players all over the world with Jamaican heritage, which the JOIHT hopes to draw from to build their team.

According to The Gleaner, "What they need to do now is to properly form a national federation, write to us for approval and request affiliation to the Jamaica Olympic Association," said Don Anderson, vice-president of the JOA. "Once everything is on order we will give them our blessing."

The inspiration for the development of the ice hockey team came in some part by the Jamaican bobsled team that competed in the last Winter Olympics. The JOIHT describes this as an unprecedented undertaking to bring a much-needed diversity to a sport that has been dominated by certain other countries.

The idea came from 22-year-old Edmond R. Phillips. Phillips parents were born and raised in Jamaica; however, Phillips himself is an Ohio native who developed a love of ice hockey at an early age. Phillips has been playing for 16 years and is now a level-four coach, which is a step below the National Hockey League. He has been coaching for five years and he is co-founder of the JOIHT.

JOIHT will not be asking for any funding from Jamaica’s already cash-strapped accounts, instead they state that they have other funding sources to draw from including some major banks in the United States.

Russia wants you to feel at Home at the Olympics

Language differences are top of the list for Olympic organizers for the upcoming 2014 Winter Games.

Organizers of the Sochi Olympics have one thought on their collective mind – how to make the participants, families and spectators feel at home, in a country most have never visited and fewer still can speak the language.

Recently a translation forum was held in Russia to address just that issue – the language barrier. More than 650 translators, students, interpreters and linguist professors attended the forum and learned just what the task will take to accomplish and accomplish it successfully.

Organizers say that more than 1000 interpreters will be on hand at the 2014 Winter Games to assist all those new to the country.

“We’re aiming to provide the warmest welcome possible when we welcome the world to Sochi and speak the same language as our Olympic and Paralympic guests, so the Forum helped us to reach this goal,” said organizing committee president Dmitry Chernyshenko.

This forum was the first of its kind held in relation to an Olympic event setting a historical marker for the Olympic Games.

In attendance at the forum was Wilhelm Weber the 2012 chief interpreter, Sochi language services advisor Maureen Sweeney and Pyeong Chang the 2018 planning services director.

The Olympic Games in Sochi will call on both volunteers and professionals to make up the huge language workforce and it looks like it will be an incredible undertaking with 5,500 athletes and some 13,000 journalists in attendance; this is not even considering the millions of spectators.

Looks like it is time for athletes and families to hit the books and learn a little bit of Russian. However, do not be too concerned if you do not, there will be help available.

Planning a Trip to Russia for the 2014 Winter Games

People who intend on going to the Winter Games should start preparing for their trip straight away.  Going to Russia during this time will be very expensive.  Due to this it is important to start saving as soon as possible.



There are a few basic expenses that vacationers will have to pay for.  These are flights, accommodation, event tickets and food.  Consumers need to remember that all prices will be inflated during the games.  This is because retailers, hotels and airlines will be trying to make the most of the event.  Unfortunately this is something that cannot be avoided.

Travelers should be aware that all foreign visitors to Russia will need a visa.  All one needs to get a visa is a valid passport, return tickets and sufficient funds.  Those who plan on extending their trip past three months will need to provide a HIV certificate.  Visas can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to process.

There are a few ways to reduce the costs of a trip to Russia.  Holidaymakers can get good package deals online.  Those who are not adverse to roughing it could stay at a hostel and cook their own food.  While this is not ideal it does allow budget orientated visitors to get to Russia for the games.  Tickets should generally be booked twelve to six months before the games.  Prices will increase as the games draw near.  This is due to the amount of people planning last minute trips to the games.

Security at the 2014 Olympic Games no Small Feat

State of the art helicopters will be used for the Olympic Games

With the world in turmoil and every country seems to have another country that is unhappy with them for whatever reason, security at the Olympic Games to be held in Sochi Russia in 2014 is no small matter.

Russia has decided that it’s most advanced helicopters will be used to protect the spectators and participants when they host the 2014 games. Experts who studied the outcome of exercises held by the Emergency Situations Ministry in November reached this conclusion. These exercises included two types of helicopters and they performed quite well.

Understanding the scope of the endeavor and the immense undertaking that this is going to take, Russia will use two types of helicopters to secure the area in and around Sochi. The first helicopter will be the Ka-226T and the Ka-32. These helicopters are capable of providing medical aid, carry out rescues and can be utilized for their fire-fighting abilities.

Russia is taking this responsibility very seriously and knows the games are associated risks because of the terrain in the area. Security will be the focus of the flying fortresses, but there could be need of search and rescue and medical evacuations. Avalanches are a risk in the area and many parts of the outdoor courses that are targeted to be used for the Sochi Games. Some of the riskier outdoor sports for the Sochi Olympics will include skiing, ski jumping, speed skiing, bobsledding and freestyle skiing.

In the event of a medical emergency, these helicopters can be dispatched and swiftly evacuate the patient to a nearby medical facility.

Sochi 2014 Inspires Youth to Volunteer

The Olympic Games has always had the ability to inspire and engage both youth and adults.  Whenever a country hosts the Olympics or the Winter Games they are set to reap many benefits.  For example many countries find that the influx of visitors improves their economy.  In the case of Sochi 2014, it is remarkable to see the affect the games is having on Russian culture.




The volunteering vision Sochi presented to the Olympic committee is one of the reasons they were awarded the games.  Through the Sochi volunteers movement, thousands of young Russians are helping reintroduce volunteering into the Russian community.  In the past volunteering was a way of life for the Russian people.  However attitudes towards this activity changed during Soviet times. 

The volunteers used for this event will come from all corners of Russia.  Olympic organizers have set up centers in various locations.  These centers will help volunteers start to prepare for one of the most significant sporting events in Russia's history.  Volunteers will be trained on subjects such as languages, tourism and human resources.

Essentially volunteers will be working to ensure that visitors to the area are looked after.  Sochi 2014 is putting a special emphasis on languages.  This is because they want overseas guests to feel welcome. 

As the Winter Games approach, Sochi is implementing a number of changes.  Stores, roads and hotels need to be prepared for large amounts of visitors.  Big events like the games tend to overwhelm the host city.  However Sochi will be better prepared for the event thanks to the thousands of young people volunteering their time and energy.


 

High Tech Filming Equipment to be Used for Sochi Games

"The Sochi Winter Games is gearing up to be the biggest sporting event in Russian history. "

High-tech equipment which will be used to film the Sochi Winter Olympics has now been unveiled.  Experts anticipate that millions of people all over the world will be watching the games.  Due to this expectations surrounding picture quality and new coverage is high.  The organizers of the games hope to establish a media complex which will provide radio, television, photographic and online coverage of the event.



One of the cameras being used for filming is called the "Spidercam".  This camera can film events from a bird's eye view.  Interestingly there are only four of these cameras in the world.  The camera being used at the games will be able to fly at a speed of 8 meters per second.  It is also able to cover an area the size of six football fields.

Event organizers are not wasting any time when it comes to the new equipment.  The equipment is already being used to cover a few different events.  It is essential that it is tested before the games.  This will prevent any unexpected technical problems. 

The Sochi Winter Games is gearing up to be the biggest sporting event in Russian history.  So far the games has encouraged the city to boost development in many areas.  For example businesses and city officials are gearing up to receive an influx of foreign visitors.  However until recently the audience at home has been largely ignored.  Fans of the games will now be able to see their favorite events take place with better clarity.  The cameras will also be able to take shots that were not possible at previous events.
 

Sochi 2014 to Work with Generations for Peace

Sochi 2014 has penned a deal with the Generations of Peace organization. The two organizations plan to work together to create sustainable peace building projects. 



This is the first time that an Olympic organizing committee has worked together with an NGO to support peace. The members of the Sochi committee want to show the public that they live by the principles of the Olympics Truce.

Sochi hopes that their relationship with Generations of Peace will raise the bar for future Olympic committees. In an ideal situation future organizers will make the most of the social development the games has the potential to bring.

This particular NGO works by identifying and bring together youth leaders from divided communities. These leaders are then given the skills to provide organized sports activities for children. The goal of this exercise is to help heal the divides through sports.

Programs like this have been extremely effective in the past. For example ex Survivor contestant Ethan Zohn founded a charity called Grassroots Soccer. He hoped that children in Africa could forget the hardships of everyday life and find hope by playing soccer. The goal of this group is to teach children about HIV awareness through sports.

There is no doubt that sports brings people together. This is one of the reasons Generations of Peace has been so successful. By teaching children to accept others while they are young, they are creating a more tolerant future society. Many people involved with the planning of the Sochi event were pleased to the committee joining a worthwhile cause.

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