Georgian luger’s coach says accident saved other

The coach and uncle of the Georgian luger killed during a practice run at the Vancouver Olympics said the athlete\'s death has saved the lives of other competitors.



Felix Kumaritashvili said Olympic officials only put a safety shield on the course after his nephew Nodar\'s death. He said before the changes were made, the track was \"unfit for competition.\"



Nodar Kumaritashvili died during practice Friday when he lost control of his sled and slammed into a trackside steel pole at nearly 90 miles per hours. Olympics and luge federation officials said the accident was due to his coming out of a turn late. His family claims the track was unsafe.



The Olympian is set to be buried in his hometown of Bakuriani, Georgia, on Saturday.