Luge competitor dies on Olympic run

Nodar Kumaritashvili died after crashing in training (AP)
12 April 2012

Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili has been killed in a training accident at the Winter Olympics, the International Olympic Committee confirmed.

Kumaritashvili was airlifted to hospital after crashing near the end of the track at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

He went over the wall of the track and appeared to hit a steel pole near the finish line.

With the opening ceremony hours away, IOC president Jacques Rogge said the death "clearly casts a shadow over these Games".

Rescue officials rushed to the scene and performed chest compressions as well as mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Kumaritashvili was airlifted to hospital with what were described at the time as life-threatening injuries.

"We are all in deep shock, we don't know what to do. We don't know whether to take part in the opening ceremony or even the Olympic Games themselves," delegation head Irakly Japaridze told BBC Sport.

It was unclear how fast 21-year-old Kumaritashvili was going at the time of the crash, although many sliders have reached speeds in excess of 90 mph on the track, which is considered to be the fastest in the world.

Luge training was suspended indefinitely after the incident and team captains from each nation were asked to attend a meeting.

Kumaritashvili competed in five World Cup races this season and finished 44th in the world standings.

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