Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed in a freak training crash hours before the opening of the Vancouver Olympics.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

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.