After the death of the Swiss Muriel Furrer, the World Cup in Zurich could have been canceled. However, the world association decided against it, and the president gives the reasons.
For the president of the UCI, the continuation of the World Championships in Zurich despite the death of Muriel Furrer is “the best way”. David Lappartient also pointed out that the UCI could not make such a decision alone. The title fights continue today with the women’s race, and on Sunday the men will compete for the world title.
“We believe that stopping the World Cup would not be the best way to remember Muriel,” said the Frenchman. “We had a meeting and decided together that it wouldn’t be the best way to stop the races. But of course things can’t continue the same way.”
Furrer succumbed to injuries she sustained in the junior race the day before on Friday. How, when and where exactly the 18-year-old Swiss woman fell is still unclear two days later. Lappartient, one of the candidates to succeed IOC President Thomas Bach, referred to the investigating authorities.
Discussions about radio communications
Furrer’s accident brings the issue of radio bans onto the agenda. The UCI prohibits radio broadcasting at the World Cup and would like to extend this to the WorldTour races. The association expects the races to become more exciting and unpredictable. Drivers and teams have repeatedly pointed out that radio is important for safety.
Lappartient does not see this argument: “There are also falls because of the radio. We should be careful and not generalize a tragedy.” It is too early to draw conclusions as to “whether it would have been possible to find them more easily with radio or not.”
There is still speculation that Furrer could not receive immediate medical care after her fall because there was no flow of information. The newspaper “Blick”, citing eyewitnesses, reported that a rescue helicopter was only deployed an hour after the end of the race.
Source: Stern
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