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O'Connor: encouraged his fellow Olympians to speak out about course conditions. Julie Jacobson/AP/Press Association Images

Sochi course 'dangerous,' says Ireland's Seamus O'Connor

16-year-old has called for changes to prevent injury at the Winter Olympics.

IRISH SNOWBOARDER SEAMUS O’Connor has described the course for the Sochi Olympics as “pretty dangerous” and called for changes to be made to avoid injuries.

Speaking after his first training runs at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, where he will compete in the half-pipe and slopestyle events, O’Connor urged his fellow competitors to speak out.

“It’s pretty dangerous at the moment,” the 16-year-old was quoted as saying in the Irish Times newspaper. “I think it’s definitely going to be a problem for the women.”
U.S.-born O’Connor represents the best chance of a first ever Winter Games medal for Ireland having turned professional and signed a sponsorship deal with Nike at the age of just 13.

“The riders need to speak up about the conditions,” he added. “The rails can’t be fixed but they can fix the jumps.

“We may see some injuries. I hope not, but the whole course is variable as it is.”

(Reporting by Philip O’Connor, Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Copyright 2014 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

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    Mute Billy Ballbag
    Favourite Billy Ballbag
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    Feb 3rd 2014, 1:35 PM

    ‘Dangerous for the women’

    So they can’t drive a snowboard either !

    :)

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    Mute Maurice Riordan
    Favourite Maurice Riordan
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    Feb 3rd 2014, 12:42 PM

    Irish team getting the excuses in early this year.

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    Mute Justin Cottrell
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    Feb 3rd 2014, 1:28 PM

    The Australian’s made similar “excuses” as you call them. I’m sure its safe enough on the ditch where you made that comment from

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    Mute Paddy Nolan
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    Feb 3rd 2014, 1:49 PM

    Don’t think we exactly need to come up with excuses considering we come from a country without any notable snowfall

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    Mute Tequila Gold
    Favourite Tequila Gold
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    Feb 8th 2014, 5:58 PM

    Irish snowboarder pmsl

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