Luge federation sets up donation campaign to help Nodar Kumaritashvili's family

In this Friday, Feb. 12, 2010 file photo, Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia is seen just before crashing during a training run for the men's singles luge at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics in Whistler, British Columbia. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Ricardo Mazalan)

BERCHTESGADEN, Germany - The international luge federation has set up a donation campaign to help the family of Nodar Kumaritashvili.

The Georgian luger was killed in a training crash hours before the opening of the Vancouver Olympics.

According to the president of the Georgian luge federation, "the family is in urgent need of financial support."

The international luge body says it has already sent US$13,675 to the family.