[Yossarian]

Safety barriers I can see.

I don't think cushioning the support beams would do a darn thing, given the angle of approach and speed (80 to 95 MPH) the lugers are going.

I think the goal of any barrier would be to put the athlete back on the track, where they can lose their energy gradually, like over the course of 10 seconds or more.

[Abigail Adams]

Something should have been done. It seems so obviously dangerous!

[DrC]

I think luge is inherently pretty dangerous. There’s no way to build a barrier-free track. See these examples of luge accidents on other luge runs. Barriers are par for the course, if you will. But in most accidents, the rider ends up staying in the track itself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG99ULoWXHU&feature=related

[CharlesWayneCT]

All they really needed was a net to keep him from going over the wall, but I presume that would ruin the sight lines.

[PapaBear3625]

I think the goal of any barrier would be to put the athlete back on the track, where they can lose their energy gradually, like over the course of 10 seconds or more.

To that end, clear plastic walls to prevent a luger from leaving the track would have been nice.