The casket with the body of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger killed in a practice run at the Olympics, is carried near his home in Bakuriani, Georgia, on Feb. 17.The casket with the body of Nodar Kumaritashvili, the Georgian luger killed in a practice run at the Olympics, is carried near his home in Bakuriani, Georgia, on Feb. 17. (Shakh Aivazov/Associated Press)

The head of the 2010 Olympic organizing committee will attend an overseas memorial for a luger killed on the first day of the Vancouver Games.

John Furlong was invited to attend the memorial in Bakuriani, Georgia, by the family of Nodar Kumaritashvili.

The luger died in a training run at the Whistler Sliding Centre on Feb. 12.

Tuesday's service is taking place 40 days after Kumaritashvili's death, in accordance with Christian Orthodox traditions.

Representing the International Olympic Committee will be IOC member Pat Hickey from Ireland.

The International Luge Federation, which is still reviewing the incident, is also expected to send a representative.