The death of a luge competitor who left the track at high speed has cast a shadow over the Winter Olympics in Canada ahead of the opening ceremony.
Georgian Nodar Kumaritashvili’s sled flipped and he smashed into a steel pole at the Whistler Sliding Centre, killing the 21-year-old.
It happened hours before the ceremony to open the Vancouver Games.
Georgia confirmed they will compete in the Games as a tribute to him and will march as scheduled at the ceremony.
Kumaritashvili’s sled struck the inside of the track’s last turn during his sixth and final training run, sending his body into the air and over a concrete wall.
His sled remained on the track, and the visor from his helmet appeared to continue down the ice.
via BBC Sport – Vancouver 2010 – Olympic luger Nodar Kumaritashvili dies after crash.
