The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Thursday he hopes Russia will build a safe Olympic luge track in its southern resort city of Sochi.
"The IOC has been very clear in saying to the Russians: 'Please deliver us a track that will not be hazardous,'" Rogge told reporters.
Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili died in a horrific accident during a training run hours before the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada's Vancouver.
The 21-year-old hurtled off the high-speed track and slammed into a metal pole at 140 km/h (90 mph). He was taken to hospital with blood pouring from a head wound after trackside emergency treatment, but doctors were unable to save his life.
Kumaritashvili's death sparked multiple controversies over safety in the sport, prompting officials to lower the starting point in an attempt to reduce speeds.
Rogge admitted the IOC's "moral responsibility" for the tragedy but said it was not "judicial."
Sochi will host the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
VANCOUVER, February 26 (RIA Novosti)
