- James Morgan (bobsled)
James Patrick Morgan, known as Jimmy, but
nickname d "Nitro" (December 16 ,1948 -February 8 ,1981 ) was an Americanbobsled der who competed from the mid 1970s to the early 1980s. His death during the 1981 FIBT World Championships inCortina d'Ampezzo ,Italy at the bobsleigh track used for the 1956 Winter Olympics coupled with the death of a stuntman involved in the production of the 1981 film "For Your Eyes Only" would lead to the shortening of the track to its current configuration.A native of
New York state , Morgan competed in the1976 Winter Olympics inInnsbruck , finishing 14th in the two-man event and 15th in the four-man event.Morgan's younger brother, John, was also a bobsledder who has served as a
color commentator for bobsled since 1981. John was in fact calling the competition withABC Sports 'Bill Flemming at the 1981 World Championships that took James' life.Morgan's death, along with the death of an Italian stuntman, would lead to the Cortina bobsleigh track being altered to its current configuration.
The Hot Runnings part of www.bunksplace.com is dedicated in Morgan's memory.
References
* [http://www.bunksplace.com/nitro1975.jpg1975 picture of Morgan driving two-man bobsleigh (Location not given)]
* [http://www.todor66.com/olim/1976w/Bobsleigh_Doubles.html 1976 bobsleigh two-man results]
* [http://www.todor66.com/olim/1976w/Bobsleigh_Fours.html 1976 bobsleigh four-man results]
* [http://www.bunksplace.com/nitro.html Bunksplace.com article on the Morgan death during the 1981 FIBT World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy]
* [http://www.mi6.co.uk/sections/movies/fyeo_production.php3?t=fueo&s=fyeo "For Your Eyes Only" production notes featuring the Cortina track]
* [http://www.bunksplace.com/hot%20runnings.html Hot Runnings link on bunksplace.com memorializing Morgan]
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