AP source: Official confirms death of luger
By Associated Press
Feb 12, 2010 2:22 PM CST
AP source: Official confirms death of luger
Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia is seen being given chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after crashing during a training run for the men's singles luge at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia, Friday, Feb. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)   (Associated Press)

An Olympic official with direct knowledge of the situation says a men's luger from the former Soviet republic of Georgia has died after a crash during training. The official tells The Associated Press that the International Olympic Committee received confirmation of Nodar Kumaritashvili's death. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the 21-year-old luger's family hadn't been notified yet.

An official statement is to be released soon.

Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled near the finish Friday, went over the track wall and struck an unpadded steel pole near the finish line at Whistler Sliding Center.

See 1 more photo