European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - September 23, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Seoul i9k8 xxiv olympics danger in the race for Gold Greg Louganis hits the springboard with hit head during preliminary dives Al the olympics on monday. After his injury Lougania want on to win a Gold medal in springboard diving. By Gerr Kobren the Baltimore sunt hey Fly through the air with the greatest of Grace and Ihen one of them the one thai Many sports authorities consider the greatest diver in the world Nils his head on the diving Board end you suddenly realize these charming Young olympic athletes could be in danger of losing More than Gold medals. Greg Louganis of the United states Gold medallist in the summer olympics tour years ago and again in Seoul stunned the spoils world during the diving preliminaries monday when he Rose Olf 1he springboard Lor a reverse 2vs somersault in Pike position and hit his head on Iho final Rollion before entering the water. It was not his isl Accident. During a Competition in the soviet Union in 1979, Louganis hit his head on the Board during a somersault ing dive and had to be pulled unconscious from the water. He recovered that time and to recovered this Lime going on to Lake the Gold modal in springboard diving once again. Still questions remain. Just How dangerous Are High level competitive sports America s insurance companies seem to think they re very dangerous indeed two years ago major american insurers refused to Issue liability coverage for the . Olympic committee and the committee had to form a company of its own called Panol. Faced with a similar crunch the governing bodies of some of the affiliated sports federations insured with Panol also. This had Little to do Willi athletic Hazard contends Kenneth Clarke. . Assistant executive director of the olympic committee. Rather he says the insurance Industry retrenched in 1985-86. Besides the world of sport is not Well understood from the Point of View of risk management. They figured Why take a risk on some Lhing they did t understand " in any Case he adds individual athletes have medical costs paid by their own health insurers first and by their federations or the . Olympic committee if they do not have coverage for treatment of injuries. Historically to says the typical Bill has been under 510,000." even in competitive diving a Superman sport of aerodynamic Maneu vers and High Speed entries into the Weter injuries Are Moi Loflen Wear and Teer punishments than life threatening accidents. I know of Only one serious Accident in the sport says Joe Suriano diving coach at the . Naval Academy in Annapolis. Greg Louganis knows about that one too to was standing on a lower Board at the 1983 world University games in Edmonton Alzorla when a soviet diver. Sergei Chali Bashiti. Hit his head against a platform. He it Ftp Arsi old sole a a prior commitment kept John Mcenroe from competing at the olympics Tut West German Tennis Atar Steffi grat la then. In a Way i Leal i have a debt to pay aha say t. Tennis without room service is not for everyone by Fred Bayles associated press a so your average Tennis millionaire what he finds different about olympic Competition and you gel an honest   the Village life is different says Sweden s Stefan Edberg this year s Wimbledon Winner and one of the Young Lennis turks in Seoul for he first olympic medal Competition since 1924. You can t get room service Here. But you stay Wilh your teammates too which is a lot of  but Tun in t enough Tor everyone at least no the household names of Tennis who weren t ready to Trade limousines for buses suites Lor dorm rooms and a big payday Lor the Chance at a fist sized medal. Bimi be he re i Hull i Lai we he g. Re it by m in in m Page 14 the stars and stripes Friday septan