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| quote: | Anne Abernathy, known affectionately as "Grandma Luge," has withdrawn from the women's event at the Torino Olympics because of a broken wrist.
The 52-year-old crashed near the end of the track in Cesana, Italy, during training Sunday morning and was taken to hospital. The International Olympic Committee was informed on Sunday night that Abernathy will not participate in her sixth Olympics.
Abernathy, who competes for the U.S. Virgin Islands, made her Olympic debut at the 1988 Calgary Games. Though never a serious medal contender, she is popular with fans and fellow athletes.
In training for the Torino Games, Abernathy, a cancer survivor, had worn a green racing suit. Her red helmet was a tribute to women over 50.
"I kind of look like a Christmas tree," she said after a practice run on Friday. "It's a big deal for a lot of women that someone over 50 is going out there and doing it."
with files from Associated Press
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This is incredible - 52 years old and in the Olympics... impressive. Too bad she got hurt though.
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