Polish luger injured in training accident on new Olympic sliding track

Polish luger Mateusz Sochowicz is in a Chinese hospital having suffered numerous injuries during a training accident at China’s new National Sliding Center in Yanqing.

Sochowicz, 25, rammed into the start gate despite receiving a green light to proceed at the top of the track. He underwent surgery on Monday for what was initially reported as a broken tibia, among other injuries.

Polish team officials are accusing Chinese track officials of negligence and calling for a prompt and thorough investigation into the accident.

“There was a command to start, but they did not open the gate for him,” said a Polish team official, wishing to remain anonymous. “The gate shouldn’t be closed since he had the green exit light. Mateusz hit it.

“Of course, let’s not pass any judgments, it has to be examined, after all, we are dealing with an Olympic facility,” he added.

“The left kneecap is damaged,” said Polish national team coach Marek Skowronski, while also noting that the luger may have escaped a fracture despite the initial assessment.

The Polish team emphasizes the circumstances surrounding the accident were dramatic and need to be taken seriously. “It must be investigated,” a Polish official noted.

Sochowicz competed at the PyeongChang 2018 Games, finishing 27th in the men’s singles competition. He also placed 19th in last season’s World Cup standings. As a result of Monday’s injuries, it appears unlikely the Polish luger will be able to compete at February’s Olympic Games.

A brief statement on the International Luge Federation website read: “On November 8, 2021, at about 2:15 p.m. Beijing time, a luge accident occurred during the International Training Week (ITW) at the Yanqing National Sliding Center. Polish luger Mateusz Sochowicz was injured. According to initial reports, he suffered a broken leg and was taken to the hospital.”

International lugers are training on the Olympic track in Yanqing this week ahead of the season-opening EBERSPÄCHER Luge World Cup races, Nov. 21-22.

Bobsleigh and skeleton athletes just completed their own three-week training session and exhibition races on the sliding track. Despite crashes by Monaco and Latvian sleds, there were reportedly no significant injuries.

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