WINTER OLYMPICS LUGE

OLYMPIC SPORT SINCE 1964

LUGE is the French word for sled, and historical findings point to the existence of sleds, as early as AD 800 with the Vikings in the Slagen countryside near the Oslo Fjord. The Vikings are believed to have had sleds with two runners, which resemble the modern-day version. Luge is one of the oldest winter sports. It is also one of the most dangerous, and involves competitors lying on their backs on a tiny sled with their feet stretched out in front of them, and racing down an icy track at speeds in the range of 140 km/h, without brakes. Luge has its roots as far back as the 16th century, according to references in German books which mention the use of "Rodeln", but it was not until 300 years later that the first luge tracks were built in the Swiss Alps by hotel owners. Thus luge, like its cousin, the bobsleigh, was born and developed as a sport in Switzerland. The first course was built at Davos in 1879, and four years later the town was host to the first international competition, with competitors racing along a 4km icy road between Davos and the village of Klosters. There were 21 competitors from Australia, England, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. It was won by Georg Robertson, a student from Australia, and Peter Minsch, a mailman from Klosters. Both finished the race in just over nine minutes.

The first World Championships occurred on an artificial track in Oslo in 1955. Two years later, the International Luge Federation (FIL) was founded in Davos and remains the governing body of luge today. Luge made its Olympic debut in Innsbruck at the 1964 Olympic Winter Games with three events - men's, women's and doubles. These three events have been a part of every Olympics since 1964. Through the 1992 Olympics, the doubles event was known as men's doubles. After Albertville, the International Luge Federation (FIL) changed doubles to a mixed-gender competition. Since the ruling has been made, however, no mixed-gender teams have appeared in the Olympics.

Of the 99 medals that have been awarded since 1964, 95 of them have gone to athletes from Germany, Austria, Italy or the former Soviet Union. The only four exceptions occurred when the United States won the silver and bronze medal in the doubles competition at the 1998 Nagano Games and again at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. This spectacular sport was dominated by East Germans from 1964 - 1988, during which time they won an incredible 15 of 21 gold medals on offer. A German by the name of Georg Hackl, who used to race for the former West Germany, is the undisputed king of luge and he has won the gold medal at the 1992, 1994 and 1998 Olympic Games on top of his 2 silver medals in the 1988 and 2002 Games. He is the only Olympic athlete in history to medal in five Olympic Games.

Singles
In men's and women's singles, athletes take four runs down the track. Each run counts. The four times are added, and the fastest total time determines the winner. The competition takes two days to complete (two runs per day). Men and women compete on the same track, but the women start from a position further down the course.

The four-run format is unique to the Olympic Winter Games and is designed to reward consistency, endurance and ability to withstand pressure, particularly on the second day. At most events, such as the World Championships and World Cup races, singles are contested over two runs.

Doubles
Doubles luge is a one-day competition in which pairs of athletes take two runs down a course. Each run counts. The fastest total time determines the winner. The two-run format also is used in World Championships and World Cup races. There is no rule that says a doubles team must comprise members of the same sex, but traditionally, men have ridden together, with the larger man lying on top for a more aerodynamic fit.

VERIFIED Feb 18, 2002

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