Olympic Solidarity - luge makes history at Gangwon 2024
Gangwon (FIL/18 Jan 2024) A total of 92 athletes will make their luge debut at Gangwon 2024 - the first Winter Youth Olympic Games in Asia - thanks to a unique training approach to the fastest sport on ice, supported by Olympic Solidarity.
The female and male athletes from 26 nations across Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania and South America will compete in Men’s and Women’s Singles as well as Men’s and Women’s Doubles and Team relay events at the Olympic Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang, after high impact summer training camps around the world and brand new Youth Olympic Luge Schools funded by Olympic Solidarity grants.
Game-on for Gangwon
With intensive training by FIL coaches, six nations - Ireland (IRL), the Netherlands (NED), Puerto Rico (PUR), New Zealand (NZL), Chinese Taipei (TPE) and Thailand (THA) - have secured at least one quota place for the 2021-2023 Youth Olympic Games.
“It is truly rewarding to see so much diversity in luge at Gangwon 2024,” said FIL Development Director Fred Zimny. "Just 18 months ago, the first ever luge sled entered Thailand. Now, on the back of that summer training camp in Bangkok and the Rayong hills with 20 young people, Thailand’s flag will be raised for the first time at the Youth Olympic Games luge events,” continued Zimny.
“Sunita Chaiyapantho (16) and Thiraphat Sata (17) will be the first ever athletes to represent their country in luge!”
Youth Olympic Luge School
The week-long Youth Olympic Luge Schools in Sigulda (LAT) in October 2022 and Lillehammer (NOR) last October for athletes aged 13-17 have also been a major turning point for athletes classified by the International Olympic Committee as under-represented at the last Olympic Winter Games.
“Several of our youngsters at our Olympic Luge Schools had never seen ice or snow, and were thousands of miles from home,” explained Zimny. “We also saw an exciting resurgence of young people from nations including Finland, France and Netherlands.”
With a focus on ice-start practice, physical training and sled maintenance, the athletes from diverse cultures quickly got to grips with this demanding sport, supported by luge’s top coaches including Petr Kinzel, Bogdan Macovei, Tomas Kinzel and Martin Lozbers.
“Introducing the young athletes to luge started off the track - looking at the sled, how it works, how to lie on the sled, the correct position, how to steer,” explained Zimny.
“It was incredibly rewarding to see just how quickly these young athletes from all corners of the globe got to grips with luge - they share the one thing they all have in common, love for the sport of luge.”
“Together with IOC Solidarity, we have paved the way for our new luge athletes to set their immediate sights on the Youth Olympic Games, as well as on the future - the Olympic Games.”
Sledding to Gangwon 2024
“Our Youth Olympic Luge Schools could not have happened without the generous support of the IOC through Olympic Solidarity grants - we are incredibly grateful for this support,” said FIL president Einars Fogelis.
“This experience will be life changing for the athletes - one day we will see these brave youngsters at the Olympic Games”, Fogelis added.
Tune in to Gangwon 2024
The luge action begins Saturday, 20 January with Women’s singles and Men’s Doubles - join us and support our athletes!
Luge schedule for the Gangwon Youth Olympic Games 2024:
January 16 to 19, 2024: Official training
January 19 Opening Ceremony Gangwon Youth Olympic Games
Day 1 (January 20, 2024) Women’s singles and Men’s doubles
Day 2 (January 21, 2024) Men’s singles and Women’s doubles
Day 3 (January 22, 2024) Official Team Relay Training
Day 4 (January 23, 2024) Team Relay Competition
See full schedule here: https://olympics.com/en/gangwon-2024/schedule
Watch YOG on IOC Olympic Channel: Gangwon 2024 Olympic Videos - Highlights & Replays (olympics.com)
Join FIL Luge on YouTube - follow the luge journeys: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2Kk9l6zlkq--dtWBuHGfdA
