Just a kid. Prayers to all affected.

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Memorial service for Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili underway in Vancouver


By John Bermingham, The Province February 15, 2010 11:02 AM


A card flanked by candles reads: 'In memory of Nodar Kumaritashvili -- may he rest in peace, 1988-2010' at the medal plaza in Whistler. The 21-year-old Georgian luger died last Friday in a training run crash that can be viewed over and over again by those so inclined.
Photograph by: Reuters, The Province

A memorial service is underway in Vancouver for the 21-year-old Georgian luger who was killed in a horrific accident Friday while training for the Olympic Games in Whistler.


David Kumaritashvili (left), father of Georgian luge competitor Nodar Kumaritashvili, sits outside his home next to his son's friends in Bakuariani, near Tbilisi, on Saturday.
Photograph by: David Mdzinarishvili, Reuters, The Province

Nodar Kumaritashvili flew off the track while travelling at about 140 kilometres an hour and hit a steel beam at the side of the track just hours before the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver 2010 games.

About 20 mourners are attending the service at First Memorial Funeral Home at 602 Kingsway.

Some mourners are wearing Georgian headdress while a half dozen or so appear to be associated with VANOC.

Members of the Georgia delegation parade around the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Friday. The Georgia delegation wore black armbands in memory of luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, who died in a crash during a training run earlier that day.
Photograph by: Gary Hershorn, Reuters

At the end of the service Kumaritashvili’s body will be placed in a grey hearse and escorted by 13 motorcycle police officers to Forest Lawn cemetary before being taken to Vancouver International Airport, where he will be flown home to Georgia on a noon flight.
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