Haley+Fraser

Luge coach says athlete's death saved lives. uncle of the Georgian luger was killed during a practice run at the Vancouver Olympic Friday, when he lost control of his sled and slammed into a trackside.Olympics says the athlete's death has saved the lives of other competitors.Thursday that Olympic officials only put a safety shield on the course after the deat.He was coming around the final 270-degree turn, where speeds approach 140 kilometres an hour, when he flipped off his sled and flew into a metal pole.Video of the crash was posted on YouTube — but was quickly removed.