Luger dies in Olympics practice crash
 

Luger dies in Olympics practice crash
February 12, 2010 4:18 p.m. EST
Luger dies in Olympics practice crash - CNN.com

Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, was in the final run of official training when he crashed.

(CNN) -- A luge slider from Georgia was killed Friday when he crashed during an Olympic training session hours before the opening ceremony of the Winter Games in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Georgian Embassy said.

Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, was in the final run of official training when he had a "serious crash" and was propelled off the track, according to the International Olympic Committee. Doctors were unable to revive him, the IOC said.

"Our first thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the athlete," IOC President Jacques Rogge said in a written statement. "The whole Olympic family is struck by this tragedy, which clearly casts a shadow over these Games."

Kumaritashvili was scheduled to compete in the men's singles luge event, which begins Saturday.

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Just got an alert for this on my blackberry. Sad story, far too young.

Very sad, R.I.P.

I watched the video before it got taken off YouTube. He didn't handle the turn properly and bounced out of the track and into a metal beam where he didn't move again. It was a REAL fast track too, all you see a dot shooting through the track, until he's motionless next to the beam.

RIP