« Slow ride = cheap ride? | Main | Here's an idea »
August 17, 2008
That's gonna leave a mark
I am not sure if this clip has made the rounds of the Internet yet, but it is a fairly gruesome representation of what can happen when a Olympic weightlifter Janos Baranyai tries a lift beyond his means.
However, what could have been a garden-variety nasty sports injury got extra special meaning due to the always efficient Beijing Olympic organizers. Look what happens at 46 seconds, when the fallen Olympian is surrounded by trainers and then a portable wall to block the view of onlookers.
Beijing apparently has people whose sole job is to be on alert for massive injuries, and then set up mobile walls so that TV cameras don't catch what is going on. Is this typical weightlifting protocol, or simply another modern update by the Chinese?
The image that first popped into my head when I saw that was of horseracing, when the veterinarians euthanize a horse right on the track. I seem to recall they usually try to block the view of spectators when there is a critically injured horse on the track. According to the article, Mr. Baranyai didn't break any bones, but is probably out for the rest of the year. I can only assume this means they didn't euthanize him.
entry no. 1196
Posted at August 17, 2008 09:03 PM