Georgian Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed in a 90mph crash during a luge practice run in Vancouver on Friday.
Georgian athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili killed in training accident
Tragedy struck the Winter Olympics just hours before the opening ceremony in Vancouver when Georgian luge athlete Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed in a training accident.
The 21-year-old was having his second practice run when he suffered a horrific 90mph crash that saw him fly off the track and collide with a metal pole at the Whistler Sliding Centre.
According to reporters at the scene, Kumaritashvili struck a steel pole near the finish after losing control of his sled on the final turn and clearing the ice-coated wall along the side of the track.
Kumaritashvili was given emergency CPR resuscitation treatment at the scene and was airlifted to a trauma centre in Whistler, where doctors were unable to revive him.
Thoughts
"Our first thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the athlete," said IOC president Jacques Rogge.
"The whole Olympic Family is struck by this tragedy which clearly casts a shadow over these Games."
Vancouver Games chief John Furlong also spoke in a joint statement with the IOC and the International Luge Federation.
"We are deeply struck by this tragedy and join the IOC in extending our condolences to the family, friends and team mates of this athletes, who came to Vancouver to follow his Olympic dream," read the statement.
The IOC added that an inquiry into his death would be launched.
"This is a terrible accident. This is the very gravest thing that can happen in sport, and our thoughts and those of the 'luge family', are naturally with those touched by this event," added International Luge Federation President Josef Fendt.
The Georgian National Olympic Committee later confirmed their seven athletes would compete at the Games and, at the opening cermony later on Friday, the Georgian flag included a black fringe and their team members wore black stripes as a mark of respect.
