Vancouver: A Georgian luger died in a horrific crash on a training run on Friday, casting a shadow as Vancouver opened the Winter Olympics.
Luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, was making his final practice slide before Saturday's competition when he lost control at 90 mph on the exit of the 16th corner, launched over the rim and slammed into an unpadded steel pillar.
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The tragedy on a track darkened a mood of celebration as Vancouver welcomed the world with the opening ceremony, held indoors in a first for the Winter Olympics.
The crowd cheered Georgia's national team, wearing black armbands, as they entered the arena for the parade of 3,000 athletes attending the Games.
The audience later held a moment of silence to honour Kumaritashvili.
Earlier in the day, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, tears welling in his eyes and his voice cracking, struggled with his shock at the death of a young athlete competing at his first Olympics.
"I have no words to describe how we feel," said Rogge.
Kumaritashvili's crash at a Whistler track regarded as the fastest in the world came the day after a luge federation official told media that sliding tracks needed to be slowed down.
The IOC suspended training and launched an investigation but later reopened the track saying the crash was caused by an error from Kumaritashvili on the previous bend.
Men's training will resume on Saturday morning with the competition scheduled to start at 1700 local time.
Like Rogge, Vancouver Games chief John Furlong fought back tears as he spoke of the death of Kumaritashvili, whose father is the head of the Georgia Luge Federation.
"We are heartbroken beyond words," Furlong said. "This athlete came to Canada with hopes and dreams that this would be a magnificent occasion in his life.
"I am told by members of his delegation that he was an incredibly spirited person. He came here to experience what being an Olympian was."
Georgia's Minister for Sport and Culture said the team would compete in the Games out of respect for their "fallen comrade".
