Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Georgian Luger's Body Returns Home

((HT: Reuters))

The body of the luger killed during a practice run at the Vancouver Olympics is back in his family home in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.

Relatives were at an airport before dawn to meet the flag-draped coffin of Nodar Kumaritashvili.

According to wire reports, his mother threw herself on his coffin and cried: "Why have I survived you?" She became so upset she had to be held up by the arms of relatives, and an ambulance was called to help her.

The casket was taken to the family home, on a street that local authorities have renamed in the athlete's honor. Nikolas Rurua, Georgian minister of sport, has also said in Vancouver press conferences that a luge track will be named for the athlete as well.

Among the mourners during the procession was Levan Gureshidze. He grew up and trained with Kumaritashvili, but withdrew from the Olympics after Nodar's death. Gureshidze said he could not compete after the accident.

The 21-year-old will be buried Saturday at a churchyard in the village of about 1,500.

Reuters Paul Chapman has details from Kumaritashvili's home town of Bakuriani...

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