People of the United States express its "sympathy and solidarity" with Georgia over a tragic death of a Georgian luger at training during 2010 Olympics in Canada, the U.S. Department of State said.
Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, died on Friday after coming off the track at the Whistler Sliding Center near the end of the run and flying into a metal pole at 140 km/h (90 mph).
"Nodar's bright future as a luge athlete for the Georgian national Olympic team was tragically cut short yesterday afternoon during a practice run for his upcoming competition in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics," Gordon Duguid, an acting deputy department spokesman, said.
"We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Nodar Kumaritashvili. The United States stands with Georgia as it mourns the loss of a great Olympic athlete," he added.
After Canadian coroners and police finished their investigation of the tragedy, International Luge Federattion (FIL) officials carried out their own probe, and following a physical inspection of the track concluded that the Georgian athlete was responsible for his fatal crash.
WASHINGTON, February 14 (RIA Novosti)
