体坛英语资讯：IOC releases report on Kumaritashvilis death

A highly anticipated report on the death of Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili at the Vancouver Winter Olympics was released on Monday by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The report was written by the International Luge Federation ( FIL) and examined the events leading up to and immediately following Kumaritashvili's catastrophic crash during a training run at the Whistler Sliding Center on Feb. 12, the opening day of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Kumaritashvili was thrown from the Whistler Sliding Center track because his sled "compressed" and then acted like a catapult, said the report into his death released on Monday.

"This bowing of the sled has not been seen before and was therefore not predictable by technical and safety experts," said the report by FIL. "No athlete would have control in dealing with this type of catapult effect."

However the report said that the Whistler track was much faster than it was designed to be by German firm Udo Gurgel -- IBG Design.

"The original calculations called for a top speed around 136 km/h while the actual top speed recorded was 153.98 km/h," said the report.

"Although it was determined by the FIL that this speed was within the ability of the luge athletes, it was determined that this was not a direction the FIL would like to see the sport head. "

The International Olympic Committee issued a statement on Monday which said that the FIL had produced "a thorough report that clearly indicates that the accident was the consequence of a complex series of interrelated factors which combined led to the tragedy."

"The safety of the athletes at the Olympic Games is paramount," added the IOC. "The IOC in cooperation with the International Sports Federations has initiated a full technical review of the safety and health aspects of all sports on the program of the Olympic Games (Summer and Winter) and together we will assess whether any specific measures need to be considered in the future. "

Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili had a serious crash and died in the training for the men's singles before the official start of the Vancouver Olympics in Whistler on Feb. 12.

The 21-year-old slider lost control of his sled, went over a wall, and slammed into a metal support beam. Observers said his sled was traveling nearly 136 km/h.

The Georgian luger was knocked unconscious and treated onsite by medical staff. Then, he was immediately air-lifted to a Whistler hospital where he died.

The 2010 Games would have been Kumaritashvili's first Olympics. Kumaritashvili's crash occurred at the fastest part of the track, which steeply declines for 152 meters, making it the world's longest luge drop.

Nodar Kumaritashvili was buried in his hometown of Bakuriani, Georgia.