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12 years ago, his brother died at the Vancouver Winter Olympics This year he dressed up for Beijing

12 years ago, his brother died at the Vancouver Winter Olympics This year he dressed up for Beijing

When Georgian bobsleigh player Saba Kumaritashvili accelerated on the icy track of the Snow Dragon and successfully completed all the races, he clenched his fists, looked up to the sky and was relieved, even though he finished 31st.

It's a story of overcoming fear and continuing family glory, and while it has nothing to do with medals, it's the closest footnote to the Olympics — 12 years ago, Saba's cousin Nodar Kumari tashvili died of an accidental fall during pre-sleigh training at the Vancouver Winter Olympics; 12 years later, Saba stood on the field of the Beijing Winter Olympics, fulfilling his cousin's wish and realizing his dream.

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