Nodar Kumaritashvili: Luger Dies, Killed In Crash at Olympics

by agdobson | February 12, 2010 at 11:49 am

47037 views | 51 Recommendations | 23 comments

Georgian slider Nodar Kumaritashvili. has died in a horrific luge crash, after a practice luge run at the Olympic Luge Track in Whistler. (Nodar Kumaritashvili crash video at Whistler Track).

"He fell out of the track when he crashed. He was treated on site by medical staff who administered CPR, and was then taken away in an ambulance."

German International Olympic Committee official Thomas Bach later confirmed he had died as a result of his injuries.

Jacques Rogge the head of the IOC, visibly upset, and in tears said at a hastily convened news conference "I have no words to say," tears in his eyes, Rogge could not complete his statement.

At that point John Furlong the head of VANOC stepped in and said "I am so sorry to be in this position reporting this to you. Our thoughts and our prayers are with Nodar's family, the athletes in Georgia....The accident is traffic and will be investigated."

Kumaritashvili died after his sled was involved in a 145kph accident at the Olympic Luge Track.

"The crash occurred near the bottom of the course, which is both fast and challenging. Kumaritashvili hit the track's inside wall, flew in the air up and over the outside wall and struck the girder"

A member of the Georgian Luge Team, Nodar Kumaritashvili was given emergency resuscitation treatment at the Whistler Sliding Center in Canada.

His sled left the Olympic track and smashed into a course side structure, knocking the 21-year-old unconscious.

Training was immediately suspended after the accident, which happened just hours before the opening ceremony of the 21st Winter Games in Vancouver.

3 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

Sudha Krishna

flagged this story as Breaking

at 12:15 on February 12th, 2010

agdobson, thanks for getting this story out so quickly. It will now show up on the home page for four hours. If new developments justify it, I'll renew this flag for another cycle.

recommend Sign In or Join to post comments

Bevan

at 13:02 on February 12th, 2010

The olympic committee pulled the videos from YouTube due to "copyright claims". Or maybe they just don't want bad press?

Srsly (not verified)

at 14:03 on February 12th, 2010

You think? 4 hours until the opening ceremony, I wouldn't put it past Vanoc to steamroll this over until they can figure out an appropriate way to approach it. The poor kid died -this morning-, I wouldn't want to see his death plastered all over Youtube so soon, either.

Lifestrand.net - The Thread of Life (not verified)

at 13:16 on February 12th, 2010

Memorial for Nodar. Express your feelings:www.lifestrand.net/affection/show/Nodar_Kumaritashvili

Duane Rawluk (not verified)

at 13:24 on February 12th, 2010

They will always pull the videos of a life ending event out of respect for the victim, families & loved ones. R.I.P. Nordar Kumaritashvili.

everchanging

at 14:13 on February 12th, 2010

Sad to have a loss of this type in any sport.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 14:26 on February 12th, 2010

My condolences, This is certainly a blow to the Olympics on the day of the Opening ceremony.

donthedon (not verified)

at 14:30 on February 12th, 2010

there are other videos available anyway. i feel sad. i hope they will say at least something to his remembrance at the opening ceremony

B. Johnson (not verified)

at 14:46 on February 12th, 2010

My heart goes out to his family, friends and teammates ...please let us all respect thier grief and privacy .may he rest in peace

marianmo

at 14:46 on February 12th, 2010

a tragic happening

2010 Winter Olympics: Luger dies after training run accident (not verified)

at 15:51 on February 12th, 2010

watchwinterolympicgames.com/watch-winter-olymic-games-2010/nodar-kumaritashvili-crash-video

Susan Marie Kovalinsky

at 17:04 on February 12th, 2010

How terribly tragic. Poor young man and his family.

jay fray30 (not verified)

at 17:36 on February 12th, 2010

its so terrible that they would show such a horrific video for everyone and his family to see on tv its definatky not right

Donna Roche (not verified)

at 18:49 on February 12th, 2010

Of course they pulled the horrific video. Ya think??? It's called respect.

WSPenwell (not verified)

at 19:45 on February 12th, 2010

Normal 0 MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} Already the IOC is ready to sweep in under the rug like nothing happened. According to number of articles I have read there were a number of lugers that complained about the track and nothing was done. You can't tell me that they weren't deliberately pushing the envelope by making the track faster in order to get some world record times. I am sure those in the know were aware of these complaints but did nothing. It looks like money and TV ratings over safety. If there was a death at my place of work, the work site would be shut down until a full investigation was done by Workers Compensation. Maybe the IOC should push themselves away form their $1,000 a plate dinners and caviar they would know what is going on. If they allow this event to go on it will be a disgrace and they be ashamed of themselves. To honor this Luger it is only right that the event be suspended until a through, outside investigation has been done.

sphurthy1 (not verified)

at 20:12 on February 12th, 2010

A very sad incident at the Vancouver gamesCheck Luge Crash Video and Pictures

Pat Garcia

at 21:17 on February 12th, 2010

This is so sad. There are no words my condolences to his family and friends,

NSMNX (not verified)

at 03:07 on February 13th, 2010

I TOOK A 5 MINUTE NAP, WOKE UP, PEE'D, NUKED A TACO AND SAT BACK DOWN ON THE COUCH & FARTED DURING THE MOMENT OF SILENCE. WHAT'D YOU DO?

Rick Scott (not verified)

at 05:54 on February 13th, 2010

I wish I could meet you face to face you loser...I would shove that taco up your ass..

nsmnx (not verified)

at 19:55 on February 13th, 2010

u need help...or a good ass kickin..

saddenedincalifornia (not verified)

at 09:35 on February 13th, 2010

NSMNX, how wretchedly disrespectful you are. A young talented ATHLETE died, and you write what you did. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!

camo grul (not verified)

at 16:37 on February 13th, 2010

i fell very sad about that crash i CRIED when i saw it ,kumaritashvili family , yall are in my prays i wish he could have been in the olymics to do the race sorry about the loss of the family member praying for yall

tyesage (not verified)

at 19:52 on February 13th, 2010

Announce his death..yes..the tragedy..yes..but..What ever happened to respect and privacy. The entire family was probably not even notified of his death and they are airing it on tv. Totally uncalled for. I feel sorry for his family with them knowing that their son, nephew or cousin is being shown like this, for the world to see...its like putting a knife in their heart. Over and over again.. Where is the compassion? My heart goes out to the family...

Gita (not verified)

at 11:00 on February 16th, 2010

I,am praying for his family, that was so sad that he died, he was so exited to get ready for olympics and even he was practicing. but people shouldnt show that video over and over !!!!! please pray for his Family. He was 21 years old. we need support them!!! God loves everyone and He is everywhere whereever you go!!!