Georgian racer was killed while training for upcoming Olympics events. By Josh Wigler Paramedics attend to Nodar Kumaritashvili after his fatal accident in Vancouver on Friday Photo: Peter Parks/AFP/Getty Images Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died after an accident at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, according to multiple reports. He was 21 years old. While practicing on the Olympic luge track, Kumaritashvili was ejected from his sled at a speed of roughly 80 miles per hour and, according to the Seattle Times, “flew completely off the track at a high rate of speed. He immediately smashed off of metal poles adjacent to the track.” According to Agence France Presse, Kumaritashvili was placed on a stretcher and taken away on an ambulance immediately following the accident. He died shortly thereafter. “It is a tragedy for his family and the team,” said Thomas Bach, vice president of the International Olympics Committee. “It casts a shadow over the opening ceremony.” Kumaritashvili’s death comes shortly after another recent accident on the Olympic luge track. Days ago, 2002 and 2006 gold medalist Armin Zoeggler of Italy also suffered a crash on the course but survived the incident without serious injury. The back-to-back accidents have raised some serious safety concerns amongst competitors, officiators and others. “Our first thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the athlete,” IOC president Jacques Rogge stated in a press conference attended by The Vancouver Sun . The whole Olympic Family is struck by this tragedy, which clearly casts a shadow over these Games.” “This is a terrible accident,” added Josef Fendt, president of the International Luge Federation. “This is the gravest thing that can happen in sport, and our thoughts and those of the ‘luge family’, are naturally with those touched by this event.”
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Olympic Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili Dies In Crash
