VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Nodar Kumaritashvili, a men's luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia, died Friday after a high-speed crash during training for the Winter Olympics. He was 21.
Medics reached Kumaritashvili within seconds of the crash, but they were unable to revive him. He was pronounced dead a short while later after being airlifted to a trauma center in Whistler.
Kumaritashvili's death came just hours before the start of the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics. International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said the death "clearly casts a shadow over these Games."
"The IOC is in deep mourning,'' said Rogge. "[Kumaritashvili] lost his life pursuing his passion. I have no words to say what we feel.''
"We are deeply struck by this tragedy and join the IOC in extending our condolences to the family, friends and teammates of this athlete, who came to Vancouver to follow his Olympic dream," added John Furlong, the CEO of VANOC, the Games' organizing committee.
An investigation is underway into the circumstances of the accident. Training was suspended and technical officials are now trying to establish the causes.
Kumaritashvili is just the fourth Winter Olympics athlete to die since the Games began in 1924 and first since 1992.
American Superstar's thoughts and prayers go out to Nodar Kumaritashvili's family and friends and the entire former Soviet republic of Georgia Olympic team.
- Comment
