James Morgan (bobsledder)

James Patrick Morgan, known as Jimmy, but nicknamed "Nitro" (December 16, 1948 - February 8, 1981) was an American bobsled driver who competed from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s. He was killed in 1981 during the third of four runs of the four-man event at the World Championships in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, held at the track used for the 1956 Winter Olympics.[1][2][3]

James Morgan
Born
James Patrick Morgan

(1948-12-16)December 16, 1948
DiedFebruary 8, 1981(1981-02-08) (aged 32)
Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy
Cause of deathBobsled accident
Resting placeSt. Bernard's Cemetery
Saranac Lake, New York
Nationality United States
Other namesJimmy, Nitro
OccupationAutomobile salesman
Known forBobsled driver,
1976 Winter Olympics

Morgan's death at age 32, coupled with the fatality of a stuntman involved in the production of the 1981 film For Your Eyes Only the following week, led to the shortening of the Cortina track to its current configuration.

A native of Saranac Lake, New York, Morgan competed in the 1976 Winter Olympics at Innsbruck, Austria, finishing fourteenth in the two-man event and fifteenth in the four-man event at Igls.

Morgan's brother John (b.1950) was also a bobsledder who has served as a television color commentator for the sport since 1981. He was calling the competition for ABC with Bill Flemming when James' accident occurred.[2]

References
  1. Valsecchi, Piero (February 9, 1981). "U.S. bobsledder killed in accident". Schenectady Gazette. (New York). Associated Press. p. 30.
  2. "U.S. bobsled star dies in mishap on Olympic track". The Day. (New London, Connecticut). Associated Press. February 9, 1981. p. 27.
  3. Anderson, Dave (February 12, 1981). "Sports of the Times; The Death of a Bobsledder". The New York Times. p. D18.


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