Sochowicz fractured his left kneecap and lower his proper leg to the bone after hitting the barrier on the Yanqing Nationwide Sliding Centre that shall be used for the Beijing Olympics in February.
The 25-year-old, who represented Poland on the 2018 Winter Olympics, stated the observe group had been gradual to react and he had spent half an hour on the ice earlier than being transported to hospital for surgical procedure.
“I bought the inexperienced gentle so I moved on. For the primary time, I used to be in a position to calmly journey these two tough bends. Immediately, nonetheless, I noticed a closed gate on the observe,” he instructed Polish net portal Onet.
“I then let the sled out from below me and took the place like a downhill skier.
“I hoped that at this pace I’d be capable to soar over the barrier. Nevertheless, the whole lot was occurring too quick and I did not have time to bounce.
“That is why my legs are damaged, not the remainder of my physique. If I hadn’t reacted, it may have resulted in a tragedy.”
The Worldwide Luge Federation (FIL) acknowledged that there had been a “luge accident” on Monday afternoon which had resulted in Sochowicz being taken to hospital.
Reuters has requested remark from FIL and the 2022 Beijing Organising Committee (BOCOG).
“The observe group confirmed nice incompetence,” Sochowicz added.
“They did not know what to do in any respect. Somebody got here to me and tried to the touch my (uncovered) bone with a glove. Dante-esque scenes have been occurring there.”
Regardless of his accidents, Sochowicz stated he had not given up on competing in his second Olympics in February.
“I am not canceling myself but. I hope to start out in Beijing. If the FIL gave me a wild card and I may focus solely on restoration, possibly there can be an opportunity,” he instructed Onet.
“Nevertheless, there’s a greater downside. I do not know if I will rebuild mentally. I do not know if I’ll ever be capable to go on this observe, I’d be afraid that one thing could be ready for me simply across the nook.”
On the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Georgian Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed throughout coaching on the luge run after shedding management at excessive pace and being thrown over the sidewall of the observe and right into a metal help pole.
