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NEWS ABOUT: Nodar Kumaritashvili

Olympic Torch Passes to Sochi

Canada celebrates Olympics at closing ceremony; Russia up next, in 2014

(Newser) - An Olympics that began with the death of a luger ended tonight with an exuberant celebration of Canada, reflecting a determined comeback by the host country's organizers and athletes. A festive crowd of 60,000 jammed into BC Place Stadium for the closing ceremony, many of them Canadians abuzz over... More »

US Bobsledder: Whistler Track 'Stupid Fast'

Swiss Olympian pulls out for 'safety reasons'

(AP) - Calling the Olympic sliding track "stupid fast," American bobsledder Shauna Rohbock said the venue that took Nodar Kumarishtavili's life could generate speeds too dangerous for racing. "I think they went a little overboard on this track," Rohbock said last night. The silver medalist at the 2006... More »

Georgians Mourn Olympic Luger

Hometown hails promising athlete with funeral feast today

(Newser) - A nation that had hoped to watch one of its most promising young athletes compete in the Olympics gathered instead today to mourn luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. Thousands flocked to his family's home for a traditional funeral feast. Inside, the body lay in a coffin, surrounded by Orthodox Christian icons and... More »

Aussie Bobsledder Crashes on Track Where Luger Died

Duncan Harvey hospitalized with injuries

(AP) - An Australian bobsled pusher was hospitalized late last night following a crash on the same track where Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died last Friday. Duncan Harvey was conscious and not believed to have sustained serious injuries in his crash on the first night of training for the Olympic two-man competition.... More »

Deadly Luge Track Design Driven by Tourism

High-traffic location meant Whistler run had to be steep and narrow

(Newser) - The harrowing speed and difficult turns of the sliding track at the Vancouver Olympics that claimed a luger’s life last week are the result more of the bottom line than any premeditated design decision. Seeking to keep revenues up after the Games, officials located the track at tourist-friendly Whistler... More »

Luger Mourned in Vancouver

Kumaritashvili's body to be flown to Georgia for burial

(AP) - The Olympic luger killed in a crash was honored with prayers and candles at a memorial service today, his body beginning the long journey home to his devastated village in Georgia. Nodar Kumaritashvili's grieving coach-uncle, teammates, and international and Vancouver organizers attended the brief private service at a Vancouver funeral... More »

Olympic Track Terrified Dead Luger

Nodar Kumaritashvili told his father he was scared of one of the turns

(Newser) - The Georgian luger who died during a training run on Friday told his father he was fearful of the very track that killed him. "He called me before the Olympics, three days ago, and he said, 'Dad, I'm scared of one of the turns,'" said David Kumaritashvili of... More »

On Perilous Track, Officials Quick to Blame Dead Luger

Kumaritashvili's death glossed over, despite safety worries beforehand

(Newser) - When Nodar Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled and slammed into a metal pole at speeds nearing 90mph, it wasn't entirely unexpected by Olympic officials, who had privately worried that the luge track in Whistler was too fast—for four sliders in particular, one of which was Kumaritashvili. Nevertheless, notes... More »

Olympic Officials Try to Slow Luge Speeds

Start of men's race will be moved 190 yards

(Newser) - Olympic officials insist their luge track is safe, but they're trying to slow down lugers anyway. In the wake of yesterday's fatal crash of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the start of the men's races will be moved 190 yards to the start of the women's races. That alone could bring speeds down... More »

Human Error Blamed for Luger's Death

Olympics officials raise wall, but only as extra precaution

(AP) - Fast and frightening, yes. Responsible for the death of a luger, no. Olympic officials decided late last night against any delays or major changes in the track—even doubling up on the schedule after the horrifying accident that killed 21-year-old Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili. They said they would raise the... More »

Luge Death Can't Dim Opening Bash

50K pack indoor arena to kick off Vancouver Olympics

(Newser) - Despite the training-run death earlier in the day of a luger from the country of Georgia, the Olympics' opening ceremonies went on tonight in Vancouver, with a jubilant countdown by the crowd filling BC Place Stadium. The festive mood, and the opening rain of confetti, contrasted sharply with the grief... More »

Olympic Luger Dies Following Practice Crash

Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia lost control of his sled

(AP) - Just hours before the opening ceremony, an Olympic luger from the country of Georgia died today after a crash during training near Vancouver. Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, lost control of his sled, went over the track wall, and struck an unpadded steel pole near the finish line at Whistler Sliding Center.... More »

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