James Morgan (bobsled)
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James Patrick Morgan, known as Jimmy, but nicknamed "Nitro" (December 16, 1948 - February 8, 1981) was an American bobsledder who competed from the mid 1970s to the early 1980s. His death during the 1981 FIBT World Championships in Cortina 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 the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, 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 with ABC 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.
[edit] References
- 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
- Hot Runnings link on bunksplace.com memorializing Morgan
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