Georgians mourn luger who died in practice
Share This Story
BAKURIANI, Georgia (AP)
A nation that had hoped to watch one of its most promising young athletes compete in the Olympics gathered instead Saturday to mourn him, more than a week after the luger was thrown to his death in a practice run at the Vancouver Games.Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, died after slamming into a steel pole on the luge course hours before the opening ceremony. He lost control of his sled during a training run, shot off course and slammed into a trackside steel pole at nearly 90 mph.
Thousands of mourners flocked Saturday to the yard of his family's two-story brick home for a traditional funeral feast. Inside, the body lay in a coffin, surrounded by Orthodox Christian icons and burning candles. A small choir sang Georgian chants and a portrait of the athlete hung on the wall.
See the action
Miss any hot moments from the Olympics? Check out these photos.His father, David Kumaritashvili, stared at the portrait somberly and said: "I wanted to throw a wedding feast for you. Instead, we have a funeral."
The luger is to be buried in the cemetery of a tiny church in the snowy alpine village, Georgia's top winter sports retreat. President Mikhail Saakashvili was expected to attend the funeral. Before the funeral, family and friends poured red wine in the grave as part of the burial rite in this Caucasus Mountains nation with millenia-old winemaking traditions.
Kumaritashvili's friends and family said that despite his age, he was an experienced athlete who came from a dynasty of lugers. One of his relatives pioneered the sport in Georgia, and his father and two uncles won multiple awards in the sport in Soviet and international championships.
Kumaritashvili participated in two world cup competitions and was regarded as one of the country's most promising athletes.
An investigation found that Kumaritashvili was late in coming out of the next-to-last turn and failed to compensate. But his family and others have insisted he was experienced, and have blamed his death on the course's design.
Concerns about the course had been raised for months. Many worried that the $100 million-plus venue was too technically demanding, and that only Canada's sliders would have enough time to adapt to it during practice. Kumaritashvili had completed only 26 runs on the Whistler course, while Canadian lugers ran the track hundreds of times.
In his hometown, the athlete was a hero, especially to the children who looked up to him.
Neighbor Dmitry Laliyev, 4-years-old, had asked Kumaritashvili to bring him a toy rifle back from Canada. The athlete's parents found the toy in Nodar's luggage after his death and gave it to Laliyev.
The boy played with the toy Saturday among the crowd of mourners.
"Nodar brought me this," the boy said, pointing at the plastic rifle.
The boy's father, Gogi Laliyev, said when the athlete traveled he always brought home presents for Dmitry.
"I told Dmitry, 'Nodar promised to get you the rifle, so he got it for you,"' Laliyev said, trying to hold back his tears.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
Bonds faces future, can't forget past
Barry Bonds is publicly referring to himself as a convicted felon these days, and he'... -
Report: Duncan won't leave Spurs
Two-time league MVP Tim Duncan said he has little interest in testing out the free-ag... -
Rodman sentenced on 4 counts
Flamboyant former NBA star Dennis Rodman was sentenced in family court Tuesday to 104... -
Mickelson in group out to buy Padres
Phil Mickelson has joined a group of investors who want to buy his hometown Major Lea... -
Serena falls in first-round stunner
No. 5 Serena Williams falls apart, ousted in first round.
Headlines
- Oh James! Queen Elizabeth to be next Bond girl at London games
-
Morgan on hot streak as US women's soccer team dominates China
| Action
-
New Zealand sailing crew narrowly misses hitting whale
- Bolt not worried after poor race in Czech Republic
- Medaling in science: Group unveils molecular Olympics logo
View All Headlines
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA Swimming Ladies White Old Flag Burnout Long Sleeve T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/485947/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_485000/FF_485947_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | USA Swimming Ladies White Old Flag Burnout Long Sleeve T-shirt |
| Speedo USA Swimming Ladies White Tail Sweep Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/486387/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_486000/FF_486387_xl.jpg&w=100 | 48.95 | Speedo USA Swimming Ladies White Tail Sweep Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Nike USA Olympic Team Navy Blue Classic Full Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA/browse/featuredproduct/536524/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_536000/ff_536524_xl.jpg&w=100 | 50.95 | Nike USA Olympic Team Navy Blue Classic Full Zip Hoodie Sweatshirt |
| USA Swimming White Dive T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616903/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616903_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | USA Swimming White Dive T-shirt |
| USA Swimming Navy Blue Splash T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616928/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616928_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | USA Swimming Navy Blue Splash T-shirt |
| USA Swimming Ladies White Dive Slim Fit T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616940/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616940_xl.jpg&w=100 | 18.95 | USA Swimming Ladies White Dive Slim Fit T-shirt |
| USA Swimming Ladies Navy Blue Splash Slim Fit T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616959/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616959_xl.jpg&w=100 | 18.95 | USA Swimming Ladies Navy Blue Splash Slim Fit T-shirt |
| USA Swimming Light Blue Swimmer T-shirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Swimming/browse/featuredproduct/616971/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_616000/ff_616971_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | USA Swimming Light Blue Swimmer T-shirt |
| Team USA 2012 Winter Olympic Games Innsbruck T-Shirt - Navy Blue | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA/browse/featuredproduct/685844/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_685000/ff_685844_xl.jpg&w=100 | 22.95 | Team USA 2012 Winter Olympic Games Innsbruck T-Shirt - Navy Blue |
| USA Curling Dare T-Shirt - Ash | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USA_Curling/browse/featuredproduct/697577/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_697000/ff_697577_xl.jpg&w=100 | 17.95 | USA Curling Dare T-Shirt - Ash |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.