Georgian luger buried in home town

From Sportsbeat Staff, Vancouver

GEORGIAN luger Nodar Kumaritashvili has been buried in his home town of Bakuriani a week after his horror crash at the Whistler Sliding Centre.

FATAL CRASH: Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed when he lost control during a training run
on the Whistler track a week ago (Getty Images)

The 21-year-old died on a training run just hours before the opening ceremony in Vancouver after losing control of his sled.

The luge event went ahead as planned despite safety concerns as a result of the 90mph crash and athletes voicing their worries over the speed of the track.

And although Olympic organisers and the International Luge Federation blamed the accident on the Georgian's misjudgement, they did take the decision to raise the barrier at the fatal curve and shortened the track to reduce speed.

The Georgian Olympic Committee said safety standards had not been met and is deciding whether to take action.

Kumaritashvili's teammates paid their respects alongside Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who had announced a sliding centre will be built in the luger's honour.

AS IT HAPPENS: Day nine of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver