Nodar Kumaritashvili, 21, a Georgian luge slider competing at the Vancouver Olympics, died after crashing and hitting a metal pole during a training run.

Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony, a moment of silence was observed to honor Kumaritashvili and his fellow Georgian Olympians wore black armbands in his memory.

Kumaritashvili was traveling at speeds greater than 90 miles per hour at the time of the crash. The luge track had been called the fastest ever, and the AP notes that concerns were raised even before the fatal crash. click here for more details.

WARNING: includes disturbing images.