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James Patrick Morgan, known as Jimmy, but nicknamed "Nitro" (December 16, 1948 - February 8, 1981) was an American bobsled driver who competed from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. He was killed in 1981 during the third of four runs of the four-man event at the World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, held at the track used for the 1956 Winter Olympics.[1][2][3]
James Morgan | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Patrick Morgan December 16, 1948 |
| Died | February 8, 1981 (aged 32) |
| Cause of death | Bobsled accident |
| Resting place | St. Bernard's Cemetery Saranac Lake, New York |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Other names | Jimmy, Nitro |
| Occupation | Automobile salesman |
| Known for | Bobsled driver, 1976 Winter Olympics |
Morgan's death at age 32, coupled with the fatality of a stuntman involved in the production of the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only the following week, led to the shortening of the Cortina track to its current configuration.
A native of Saranac Lake, New York, Morgan competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics at Innsbruck, Austria, finishing fourteenth in the two-man event and fifteenth in the four-man event at Igls.
Morgan's brother John (b.1950) was also a bobsledder who has served as a television color commentator for the sport since 1981. He was calling the competition for ABC with Bill Flemming when James' accident occurred.[2]
References
edit- ^ Valsecchi, Piero (February 9, 1981). "U.S. bobsledder killed in accident". Schenectady Gazette. (New York). Associated Press. p. 30.
- ^ a b "U.S. bobsled star dies in mishap on Olympic track". The Day. (New London, Connecticut). Associated Press. February 9, 1981. p. 27.
- ^ Anderson, Dave (February 12, 1981). "Sports of the Times; The Death of a Bobsledder". The New York Times. p. D18.
- 1975 picture of Morgan driving two-man bobsleigh (Location not given)
- 1976 bobsleigh two-man results
- 1976 bobsleigh four-man results
- Bunksplace.com article on the Morgan death during the 1981 FIBT World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
- For Your Eyes Only production notes featuring the Cortina track[permanent dead link]
- Hot Runnings link on bunksplace.com memorializing Morgan
- Sports-reference.com profile.
External links
edit
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