Body of Georgian luger killed in Olympics training brought back to hometown in Georgia

Luger’s body returned to hometown in Georgia

BAKURIANI, Georgia — The body of the Georgian luger killed in a practice run at the Olympics has been returned to his hometown in the Caucasus Mountains for burial.

Nodar Kumaritashvili is to be interred Saturday at a churchyard in Bakuriani, a small town that is one of Georgia’s most popular winter sports areas.

The 21-year-old died Friday in a crash during training at the Olympic luge track in Whistler, British Columbia.

Kumaritashvili’s body, in a flag-draped coffin, arrived at the Georgian capital’s airport before dawn Wednesday, met by relatives and onlookers.

“He was a great man, he had a great parents and now they are devastated,” said an aunt, Mzia Tibilov.