Death Of Caleb Moore Highlights Safety Concerns At The X Games

Death Of Caleb Moore Highlights Safety Concerns At The X Games

The death of Caleb Moore has resulted to a dark cloud hanging over freestyle snowboarding, which is the sport that the athlete participated in the Winter X Games.

A spokesperson of the family revealed that Caleb Moore died of complications following his accident at the games. Caleb Moore crashed during his routine where he was supposed to spin the snowmobile around as he jumped from ramp to another. Caleb Moore was trying to perform a trick that he accomplished a number of times in the past, a back flip with the machine.

The athlete’s death came as X Games athletes were given warnings of the risks that they take when they attempt their death-defying stunts, which have the potential of getting them signed up for lucrative sponsorship agreements.

Broadcasters and sponsors have enjoyed the success of the X Games since it started eighteen years ago. The games initially focused on the BMX and skateboarding as athletes were given another avenue to show their skills. Fans were also treated to unparalleled excitement. Snowmobiling and snowboarding became the highlight with the 1997 introduction of the Winter X Games.

The success of the games for ESPN was highlighted with the breaking of viewership records this year. It drew in around 35 million viewers in the US for both the live and the repeat telecasts.

Since the games have a gradually increasing global audience, ESPN planned to hold competitions outside the US.

Officials of the X Games expressed their condolences and indicated that the natural passion of Caleb Moore for life and his love for his family will be remembered. BC Vaught, the agent of the athlete said that Caleb Moore did not consider his sport as being too extreme.

Levi LaVallee, a fellow athlete, said that Caleb Moore had a creative mind and was an intense competitor who had a lot of heart.

Posted by Kade Quinn on Saturday February 02 2013, 3:30 AM EDT. Ref: Guardian. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0