Vancouver, British Columbia (CNN) -- The opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics began on a somber note Friday night as members of the delegation from Georgia mourned the loss of one of their teammates just hours earlier.

The seven-athlete delegation, wearing black armbands in tribute to luger Nodar Kumaritashvili, entered BC Place to a standing ovation from the more than 60,000 spectators in attendance. A black ribbon was tied atop the Georgian flag.

Kumaritashvili was killed after crashing on a training run at the Whistler Sliding Center. He was set to compete in Saturday's men's singles luge event.

Officials with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and British Columbia coroner's office are leading an investigation into his death. The luge course is closed until the inquiry is complete.

"The whole Olympic family is struck by this tragedy, which clearly casts a shadow over these Games," International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said in a written statement earlier Friday.

Source ----> http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/02/12/opening.ceremonies/index.html?hpt=C1