US driver John Napier out of final runs of Olympic 4-man bobsled, injures neck in crash

Napier withdrawn from Olympic race

WHISTLER, British Columbia — John Napier and his teammates’ final push of the Olympics didn’t come on ice but in a gravel parking lot.

Pulled from the four-man competition because of a neck injury, Napier and the rest of his USA-2 crew lifted their covered bobsled together and slid it into the back of a track.

Their games are over.

Napier strained his neck in a crash during his second run Friday, one of six bobsleds to overturn in the notorious “50-50″ curve on speedy Whistler Sliding Center track. Napier said some of his teammates were also hurt in the spill.

After being checked by the American team’s medical staff, it was decided to withdraw one of the U.S. sleds before Saturday’s final two heats.

“I just twisted my neck up a little bit,” said Napier, who is from Schenectady, N.Y. “My guys’ knees are pretty bruised and battered so just in the best of interest of everybody’s health we didn’t go today. I don’t want to cause any further injury. It’s a fast track, it’s on edge, it’s very dangerous and it’s a part of this sport. It’s racing.”

Napier was in 17th place after the first two runs.

Despite not getting to complete the four-man event, Napier was pleased with his overall performance. He finished 10th with pushman Steve Langton in the two-man.

“I’m disappointed,” he said. “But I’m really happy with the whole experience. We made the Olympic team and we did well.”

Napier, who plans to continue competing in bobsled, would like to see changes made to the 16-curve Whistler track, which has come under scrutiny following the death of a Georgian luger and following a series of wrecks involving some of the sport’s best drivers.

“I love this track and I love coming here and sliding here,” he said. “It’s a difficult track and I hope they make a few necessary changes, very concrete changes for next season to make it more possible. It’s still good racing, and in the spirit of racing I hope they make these changes.”

It’s unknown when Napier will be back in Whistler, or on any track for that matter. A member of the Vermont National Guard, Napier is asking Army officials if he can be deployed to the Middle East with his unit, a decision that could be made in the coming weeks. If deployed, that could mean Napier won’t slide next season.