Georgia team will compete in the Olympics and dedicate performances to luger killed in crash

Georgia team to compete in Olympics to honor luger

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Athletes from the nation of Georgia will compete in the Vancouver Olympics despite the death of their teammate, luger Nodar Kumaritashvili.

Georgia Minister of Culture and Sport Nikolos Rurua says the Georgian team “decided to be loyal to the spirit of the Olympic Games.”

He says the athletes will “dedicate their performances to their fallen comrade.”

Kumaritashvili lost control of his sled, went over the track wall and struck an unpadded steel pole near the finish line at Whistler Sliding Center on Friday. Doctors were unable to revive the 21-year-old luger, who died at a hospital, the International Olympic Committee said.