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Tragedy mars start of Olympics

Author: Lynda Collins
Date: 14/02/2010
Olympic Games betting

The Winter Olympics have got underway in Vancouver amid tragedy after Georgian luger Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed during practice.

The 21-year-old suffered an horrendous crash at the Whistler Sliding Centre and despite receiving prompt medical attention, died later in hospital.

The opening ceremony in Canada therefore became a sombre event, with the remainder of the Georgia team given a huge ovation as they entered the stadium.

An emotional IOC President Jacques Rogge told reporters: "This is a very sad day, the IOC is in deep mourning. Here you have a human being who has lost his life in pursuing his passion.

"He had a dream to participate in the Olympic Games. He trained hard and had his fatal accident. I have no words to say what we feel."

In golf, perennial sportsbook favourite Tiger Woods will not return to action at the WGC Match Play Championship in Arizona after tournament organisers confirmed he had not registered in time to take part in next week's event.

Woods has been taking an indefinite break from the game after a car crash outside his Florida home in November led to a series of lurid stories emerging about the world number one's private life.

Woods was rumoured to be considering returning to action next week, but tournament organisers have confirmed that they did not receive any notice of intent to play ahead of Friday's 2200GMT deadline.

In football, former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has confirmed he will leave his current role as Russia head coach when his contract expires in June.

Hiddink, who led the Blues to an FA Cup Final victory over Everton last season, has been linked with a potential coaching job at the World Cup Finals despite failing to lead Russia to South Africa.

They lost a qualifying play-off to Slovenia late last year and Hiddink will step down when his contract expires on June 30.

Who will be crowned world champions in South Africa? - Latest Football Betting

Hull City midfielder George Boateng has won his appeal against the red card he was handed in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Blackburn Rovers.

The veteran former Middlesbrough star was shown a straight red card by referee Lee Probert following a 40th-minute aerial challenge with Morten Gamst Pedersen at Ewood Park.

However, a statement on the FA's official website read: "At an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday, a claim for wrongful dismissal from Hull City midfielder George Boateng was upheld.

"As a result, Boateng's three-match suspension has been withdrawn. Boateng was shown a red card for violent conduct during Hull's match against Blackburn Rovers on 10 February."

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