Winter Olympics open on somber note

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The world's best athletes who compete on ice and snow gathered Friday for the official opening of the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia.

For the first time in either the Summer or Winter Games, the tradition-bound opening ceremony was conducted indoors. Athletes from 80 nations, who for the rest of the month will be competing for 86 available gold medals, marched around an ice-covered track in BC Place.

It was a typically joyous salute to international sport, but one that featured a very somber moment with the appearance of the eight athletes from Georgia. After struggling with the decision, they finally decided they must honor their compatriot who died earlier in the day on the Olympic bobsled run.

Nodar Kumaritashvili, a luge competitor, was killed Friday when he crashed on the final turn of the steepest and fastest such track in the world. The accident sent a pall through the Olympic community and raised instant concerns about the events in bobsled, luge and skeleton that will be contested.

As they entered the arena, the athletes from Georgia removed their hats and walked with little emotion to their place in the grandstand. Two officials marching in the Georgian delegation could be seen wiping tears from their eyes and those in the stands -- athletes and fans alike -- stood and applauded.

The flag bearer for the next delegation was Andre Lange of Germany, who will face the dangers of the super-fast track when he tries to win his third straight four-man bobsled gold medal near the end of the Olympics.

Six gold medals are scheduled to be awarded on the first full day of competition Saturday, including one in the prestigious men's downhill. The first two of four luge runs will also take place Saturday.