Georgian's crash prompts changes on race course

WHISTLER, British Columbia – Changes will be made to the track at the Whistler Sliding Center following the death of 21-year-old Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia in a horrific training crash Friday morning.

Officials from the International Luge Federation and the Vancouver 2010 organizing committee say the wall will be raised at the exit of Curve 16, the last on the course and the area where Kumaritashvili lost control, went airborne and struck a steel pole.

In a joint statement, the groups say it’s “a preventative measure.”

An extra session of training for the Olympic men’s luge event will be held Saturday morning, nine hours before the medal competition begins. Women’s lugers will also train Saturday, four hours behind original schedule.                    (AP)