Michael Schumacher, Skiing and Safety as the Olympics begin

Former Formula One racer Michael Schumacher is recognized throughout the world of sports as the greatest F-1 driver of all time. An athlete since he was four years old, Schumacher is undoubtedly a veteran of the sport. His F-1 career spanning 21 years was filled with an exceptional amount of achievements. A seven-time Formula One World Champion, among many other titles and records; he retired most recently, in 2012, but is still a large part of the racing world.

Schumacher after winning the US Grand Prix in 2006. Source: F-1

Affectionately called “Schumi” by his fans, he started his F-1 career at Benetton and won the first of his 7 World Championships there. In 1995, after winning his second Championship, he shifted to Ferrari and has forever since been associated with the iconic red car with its prancing horse. He retired for the first time, a 7 time champion, in 2007 and continued with Ferrari till 2009 as an assistant race director. From 2010 to 2012, he raced for the Mercedes team under former boss Ross Brawn and retired, for a second time, in 2012.

Schumacher skiing in Meribel, France. Source: People

Recently though, he has been in the news, to his fans and the racing community at large, for the direst of reasons. While vacationing in the French Alps, in December 2013, Schumacher suffered a near fatal head injury from a skiing accident. His accident happened over a

month ago, yet the media glare surrounding him and his condition has not waned. Constant medical and public attention has followed Schumacher since his nearly fatal accident (and, subsequent coma) last month; this has intensified in the past 24 hours, as rumors spread that he was slowly being lifted out of his coma.

           Site of Schumacher's accident at Meribel, France. Source: grandprix247                               

Throughout the entire ordeal, Schumacher’s family has requested absolute privacy in regards to his condition, yet information leaked this week revealing doctors’ plans to gently release his sedation. No prognoses have yet been confirmed by Schumacher’s doctors at the clinic in Grenoble, France, where he is being treated at. Regardless, fellow athletes around the world, who are eager for Schumacher’s recovery, have come out with messages of hope and good wishes towards the veteran driver and his family.

Recovery, in this circumstance, is not entirely guaranteed. The severe trauma Schumacher sustained to his skull caused his brain to swell at a rate that forced doctors to medically induce a coma in him. While in a coma, his brain will, hopefully, stop swelling and return to a more stable and treatable condition. Doctors have expressed their concerns that even if Schumacher wakes up from his coma, he may never be the same person, let alone the supreme athlete that he was before.

Schumacher’s accident and, now, early stages of recovery are happening at a time when the world’s eyes are intensely focused on sports. With the Sochi Olympics having begun yesterday, both athletes and avid skiers have been focusing more and more of their attention on winter sports.

Schumacher’s accident brings up an extremely important aspect of these sports: safety. While Schumacher’s condition leaves the world hoping for his full recovery, it also leaves us questioning our safety practices when it comes to activities like skiing. Safety should never be taken lightly and hopefully the many athletes participating in the Games will reinforce our knowledge and understanding of proper safety in regards to winter sports. As we watch the Olympics this year, we will not only hope for safety for all of the athletes competing, but we will continue hoping for Schumacher’s recovery as well.

-Brynn Rollo

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