Luge School for Asia a success: Young athletes discover the world of luge in PyeongChang

PyeongChang (FIL/15. Feb. 2024) From February 10 to 12, the FIL Asian Luge School took place in PyeongChang (KOR), immediately after the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games.

This special luge school was exclusively for nations from Asia and Oceania and gave young talents from Japan, Georgia, New Zealand, Chinese Taipei and Thailand the opportunity to experience the fascination of the sport of luge. A total of 18 athletes participated, including eleven young men and seven young women. They were coached by seven international coaches, with Bogdan Macovei and Martins Lozbers as the two FIL coaches in charge.

The program was funded by the Korean Luge Federation (KLF) and the PyeongChang Legacy Found, with additional travel support from an IOC Olympic Solidarity Grant. KLF covered the costs for the entire school on site in PyeongChang.

Fred Zimny, Development Director of the International Luge Federation (FIL), was enthusiastic about the success of the luge school: "The FIL Asia Luge School in PyeongChang was a very successful luge camp with a lot of fun for young new athletes. The cooperation between the National Federations, the athletes, the Olympic track in Pyeongchang and the FIL was extremely productive and successful. We were able to introduce the sport of luge to 18 young people from countries without an Olympic track.

“I am very grateful that I had the chance to be the first coach for this program and I am so happy for the achievement that this small country had received. It was a totally success and seeing those young kids together, sharing different cultures, making relationships, sliding, and having fun together it was a blessing. Sport has no boundaries and indeed, Luge is a family”, said coach Bogdan Macovei.

The luge school offered participants the unique opportunity to improve their skills on the ice, facilitated the exchange of knowledge and experience between the different nations and offered new experiences for young athletes. Some of the young people had experienced live snow for the first time in their lives. The exchange between the nations not only strengthened the bonds within the luge community, but also promoted the development of the sport in the Asian region.

“It was a huge honor to be a part of this project and unbelievable experience. I think we managed it very well in cooperation with KLF (Korean Luge Federation) and Pyeongchang legacy to introduce so many young athletes to our amazing sport of luge. During the luge school it was a pleasure to see so many happy and smiling faces. So many new relationships have been made and valuable experience gained for me as coach and for the new athletes as well. I can't wait to see everyone again in Korea for next season and next Asia luge school”, said coach Martins Lozbers.

The Luge School for Asia ended successfully in PyeongChang, and the young athletes returned to their home countries with new knowledge, a luge certificate, and impressions, ready to pass on and deepen their passion for the sport of luge.