Women’s Luge Doubles to debut at the 2020 YOG

Prospects for the development of the new Luge discipline – women’s doubles – were discussed in Austria by representatives of national federations that host international tournaments under the auspices of the FIL.

At the meeting the Russian Luge Federation was represented  by Stanislav Tyurin, its Executive Director, Gennady Rodionov, Vice-President and Anna Andreeva, General Secretary.

According to the Russian Luge Federation Press Service, 17 national federations have accepted the offer of the International Luge Federation (FIL) to get one item of the new standardized  women’s two-person sleds  free of charge. In addition to this, the organization has already ordered 30  women’s duos sleds. “The new discipline is a serious challenge for all of us,” said Joseph Fendt,  FIL President.

The first medals in the women’s doubles will be drawn at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne (Switzerland). Men’s and women’s singles, men’s crews and team relay will also remain on the program.

FIL has applied to the IOC for the inclusion of a new discipline in the program of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games, 2022, Beijing (China). The IOC is also considering the possibility of including lugers in the Olympic sprint programme.

In addition, the meeting in the Austrian Grossgmain summed up the results of the past sports season, and also discussed the calendar of competitions for 2018/19.

The World Cup sage in Sochi will be an important event for Russia. The competitions, which will be held in February, 2019 at the Olympic track in Krasnaya Polyana, will complete a series of Cup stages of the forthcoming season. And in 2020, the Olympic capital will host the world Luge championship.