VANCOUVER — The International Olympic Committee is “morally responsible” — but not legally — for the death of a luger on a lightning-fast track, IOC president Jacques Rogge said Thursday.
Citing the massacre at the 1972 Munich Games and the park bombing in 1996 in Atlanta, Rogge said the crash would leave an everlasting shadow over the Vancouver Olympics.
Asked who was ultimately responsible for the training-run death of Nodar Kumaritashvili hours before the Games opened, the IOC chief said: “Everyone is responsible.”
“The IOC must make sure we have good Games,” he said. “That’s our final responsibility. It’s not a responsibility in judicial terms. It is a moral responsibility.”
Medvedev wants NHLers at Sochi
VANCOUVER — The NHL “would be crazy” to skip the 2014 Sochi Games, the head of Russia’s pro hockey league said.
Alex Medvedev said the popularity of men’s hockey at the Vancouver Games shows that having the world’s top players compete is the best way to support the sport globally.
The NHL has yet to commit to the 2014 Games. Medvedev said he has met three times in Vancouver with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and plans to meet with him again before the Olympics end.
Lysacek won’t defend world title
VANCOUVER — Gold medalist Evan Lysacek will not defend his title at next month’s world championships in Turin, Italy.
But, Lysacek said he is not retiring.
“I still want to continue to compete, though,” the 24-year-old told . “I’m not afraid to lose. Regardless of medals, I still have so much to thrive on in the sport. I’m not ready to say goodbye.”
Both Canadian curling teams advance
VANCOUVER — Canada, trying to become the first Olympic curling team to go unbeaten since the sport returned as a medal event in 1998, beat Sweden 6-3 to advance to the finals. Norway beat Switzerland 7-5 in the other semifinal.
On the women’s side, the Canadians moved into the final against defending gold medalist Sweden, which beat China 9-4, with a 6-5 victory over Switzerland.
More wet weather expected
WHISTLER — Rain and fog forecast for the women’s slalom today could jeopardize yet another alpine event.
Women’s race director Atle Skaardal said he expects a “tough day” because of poor visibility caused by rain hitting skiers’ goggles.
Footnotes.
American bobsledder Bill Schuffenhauer was detained and released by Canadian police after an argument with his fiancee. He was released after police found no evidence of a crime.
• Latvia’s Janis Minins has withdrawn from the four-man bobsled competition because two of his pushmen are injured.
