Photos: Olympics luge accident in Whistler

Nodar Kumaritashvili pushes off to begin his first training run Friday in men’s singles luge at the Vancouver Games’ Whistler track, which is considered the world’s fastest venue. Some veteran lugers raised concerns before Kumaritashvili’s crash that the track might be too fast and dangerous.  (Elise Amendola / Associated Press)

Nodar Kumaritashvili hits top speed during his first training run in men’s singles luge on Friday at the Vancouver Games’ Whistler venue. He would crash on his second run at an estimated 80 mph.  (Elise Amendola / Associated Press)

Nodar Kumaritashvili, who has been competing in luge for just two years, races down the Whistler track on Friday during his second training run.  (Richard Heathcote / Getty Images)

Nodar Kumaritashvili, who is ranked 55th in World Cup competition for men’s singles luge, zooms down the Whistler track during a training run Friday.  (Richard Heathcote / Getty Images)

Nodar Kumaritashvili flies off the Whistler course after losing control of his luge during a second training run on Friday. He would crash into an unpadded pole, sustaining fatal injuries.  (Peter Parks / AFP/Getty Images)

Nodar Kumaritashvili goes over the wall on the Whistler course after losing control of his luge at approximately 80 mph on Friday during his second training run.  (Peter Parks / AFP/ Getty Images)

Medical personnel attend to Nodar Kumaritashvili after he crashed during a training run for men’s singles luge and hit a support pole alongside the Whistler course on Friday.  (Peter Parks / AFP/Getty Images)

Track personnel comfort each other as an ambulance carries Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili to a helicopter so he can receiver further medical attention after crashing at the Whistler course during his second training run on Friday.  (Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press via AP)

A video screen in the finish area of the Alpine ski venue at Whistler shows the crash of Nodar Kumaritashvili during his second men’s singles luge training run on Friday.  (Gero Breloer / Associated Press)

A photograph of Nodar Kumaritashvili, together with a bouquet of flowers, stands under the Olympic Rings on a steet in Whistler on Friday. The 21-year-old from the Republic of Georgia died from injuries he sustained in a high-speed crash during a men’s singles luge training run.  (Javier Soriano / AFP/Getty Images)