Injury Keeps 15-Year-Old From National Team Tryout
Matt McMurray,15, was released from hospital in Calgary, Friday but won't go to Park City, Utah, Sunday with the rest of the Junior National Luge Team.
"It's disappointing, but it's one of those things", said Tim Farstad, program director for the Olympic Luge Training Centre
"Sports injuries happen."
McMurray and his doubles luge partner, Mike Lane crashed Tuesday evening while rounding Curve 14, the last hairpin turn on the luge track at Canada Olympic Park.
McMurray suffered a concussion and spent 72 hours in Foothills Hospital under observation. Lane escaped uninjured.
McMurray has been enrolled in the Canadian Olympic Development Association's National Sports School for three years and has excelled at luging, placing first in the Alberta Cup and Can-Am 1 races during the 1999-2000 season and ninth in this year's Canadian championships.
Farstad said doctors have decided he should not take part in the national team training and selection process.
"The team has to leave Sunday and we feel it's too soon for him", he said. "In luge, like in hockey and other sports, you don't want to rush people back into it; they need time to recover."
McMurray could not be reached for comment Friday.
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