Luger's Tragic Death "Sad" Start to Olympics
Credit: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
A luge athlete from the Republic of Georgia was killed during a training session hours before the Winter Olympic Games were set to open in Vancouver, Canada, on Friday.
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Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, was killed in a tragic crash on the Olympic track at the Whistler Sliding Center on, an official at the track confirmed. Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled near the end of his run, when he was moving at 88 miles per hour. He was propelled over the track wall into a steel pole.
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"This is indeed a sad day," International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said at a press conference. "I have no words to say."
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The death "clearly casts a shadow over these games," he added.
An investigation has begun as to how the crash on the course -- which many competitors have said may be too fast and too dangerous -- happened.
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13Very sad. :(
Agreed Heidi-I wonder if they will require the committee to put guardrails or something similar around the track. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and teammates. 21 is way too young to go but at least he was doing what he loved.
Rest in peace and may God help your family through their mourning.
I agree with Heidi... He died doing what he loved, R.I.P.
R.I.P.
The Canadians didn't build the track; the International Olympic Committee planned and built it.
The Canadians didn't build the track; the International Olympic Committee planned and built it.
It was shocking on how this young man died. It was also shocking to see how little protection these competitors have. I did not see any fences around that track. I am a Canadian, and I am ashamed that they did not build this track, with safety in mind.
Wow. May he rest in peace. At least he died doing what he loved doing. My prayers go out to his family and friends.
This is so sad!
What a truly sad and heartbreaking thing to happen....especially on the opening day of the events. My thoughts go out to his family and teammates.
REST IN PEACE!!! Mysle i Modle sie za ciebie...
So sad.