Georgian Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili Dies After Training Run Accident, IOC Releases Statement
Posted February 12, 2010 2:38 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili has died following an accident during a training run, an Olympic official confirmed Friday.
The 21-year-old was on the final 270-degree turn, approaching speeds of 140km/h, when his sled flipped, sending him spiralling into the air before hitting a metal pole with an ominous thud.
Medics immediately began performing CPR on the native of Borjomi, Georgia. He was then airlifted to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Training was halted for the day at the $105 million sliding centre, on the southeast face of Blackcomb Mountain. The fierce 1,450-metre course has 16 turns and plunges for 152 metres, marking the longest drop of any track in the world. The course is known to be a wild ride, and more than a dozen athletes have crashed during training runs, sparking safety concerns.
Kumaritashvili competed in five World Cup races this season and finished 44th in the world standings.
Joint Statement from International Olympic Committee (IOC), Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC) and International Luge Federation (FIL )
It is with great regret that we confirm the death of the Georgian luge athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili, during the final training session at the Whistler Sliding Centre, this morning.
Mr Kumaritashvili died after crashing on the last corner of the course during training. Doctors were unable to revive the athlete, who died in hospital.
“Our first thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the athlete. The whole Olympic Family is struck by this tragedy, which clearly casts a shadow over these Games”, said the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Jacques Rogge.
“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”, said John Furlong, the CEO of VANOC, the Games Organising Committee.
For the International Luge Federation, President Josef Fendt said: “This is a terrible accident. 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.”
An investigation is underway into the circumstances of the accident. Training was suspended and technical officials are now trying to establish the causes.
