Nomination of the Korean national luge team on the way to the Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026

Gangwon (KLF/FIL, 26 May 2024) After the successful Youth Olympic Winter Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024, the Korean luge scene is on the upswing. Eleven young female and male luge athletes who have been training intensively for Gangwon 2024 since the winter of 2021 have been preparing for their next big step and their performances have produced impressive results.

Of the eleven athletes who competed for Korea at the several International luge competitions such as Asian Championships (ACh), Youth A Continental Cups and Youth Olympic Winter Games (YOG) Gangwon 2024, seven were named to the national team and four to the Junior National team. These nominations were made after the national and youth national team selection races in February 2024. Despite their different titles, the athletes have a common goal: to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This was pursued during a joint training camp at the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee(KSOC) Jincheon Athletes' Village from May 1 to 10.

"In our preparation for the 2024 program, we have repeatedly reminded the lugers that this is not our ultimate goal," said Korean head coach Wolfgang Staudinger, who traveled to Korea especially to lead the joint training. "Now we have to adjust to the appropriate training system for the adult phase, and the joint training camp early this month and the nomination for the national team was the first step."

The Korean Luge Federation (KLF) is determined to intensively promote the training and discovery of young athletes. Based on the results of the Korean Association's 18 youth training camps since 2021, KLF has received approval from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) for the Junior national team project from 2024. This project includes 24 domestic training days per year and support for a training camp with participation in international competition abroad. Missing training days will be supplemented by the KLF's own call-up training sessions.

"The next two years are crucial for the successful adult debut of the current Junior National team and student athletes, as well as for the discovery and development of young athletes for the 2028 Winter Youth Olympic Games," said Park Ji-Eun, President of the KLF. "We will continue to provide the best possible support to help young athletes make a successful adult debut on their home track at the 8th World Cup Station of the 2024/2025 season in Pyeongchang."

At the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, the federation won the most Olympic qualifications in its history and impressed the world of luge, traditionally dominated by Europe, by finishing fourth in the Team Relay ahead of Germany, Ukraine and several other European and American nations. The future of Korean luge talent on the international stage is eagerly awaited.

photos: KLF