Georgian Luger Dies after Horrifying Crash at Olympics

Tragedy has struck the Winter Olympics. Coming around one of the bends, his luge flung him into the air, sending him into mid-air somersaults and ultimately, into a steel pillar on the other side.

I can't imagine the 2010 Vancouver Games starting off on a more sour note than it has with this horrific, heart-wrenching, accident that occurred to a Georgian Luger, Nodar Kumaritsashvili, during a trial run.

 
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  • alpha1cowboy says
    What a tragic thing to happen just before the games. I feel sorry this his family.
    Reply
  • Todadisko says
    This is so sad! I really like how the Olympics CEO made a special speech for the Georgian athlete during the opening ceremony. That showed empathy.

    Question: This news reel says a steel bar was exposedd (unpadded) does this mean Vancouver might be sued?
    Reply
  • Jackson says
    Tragic start to the start of the games but freak accidents happen all the time and he died doing what he loved, knowing he made it to the Olympics.
    Reply
  • Marty says
    A real tragedy :( Must be one of the most dangerous sports around.

    On a lighter note I had a wee chuckle and the English Journo who decided to ride the luge on the news last night...

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/sports/32575.html
    Reply
  • rubytuesdaynz says
    Very tragic even though a sport like this does carry a degree of risk. According to the news report the safety of the track had been questioned by Olympic athletes before this - hindsight is 20/20 but it makes you wonder if there had been notice taken of the comments and something done we may have seen a different outcome - who knows really........
    Reply
  • Rochi says
    This video is kind of sick.... the way it keeps repeating his fall... hardly glorified... may as well just show someone getting shot in the head over and over... Im sure he knew the risks of the sport and died doing what he loved but I feel for his family who must be finding it hard knowing that people all over the world are watching his death over and over again.
    Reply
  • 1234 says
    So sorry for his family. I bet they were all so proud and there for the games to watch him and this tragic even happened before the opening ceremony even took place.
    Reply
  • Nos4R2D2 says
    Hopefully the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics won't be remembered for this sad event and hopefully Nodar Kumaritashvili death will not be forgotten and will lead to safety improvements for the luge.
    Reply
  • EarlyRiser says
    There's always a lot of shock when someone dies in sport. You just don't expect it to happen. Realistically, though, with bolder athletes, and the search for record times, I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. What's that saying, "Sometimes you eat the bar, and sometimes the bar eats you"
    Reply
  • Hippynz says
    not a sport for the faint hearted
    Reply

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