AddThis Social Bookmark Button


What the World is Looking for
Chiff.com Web Guide

Gold Star Olympics LugeGold Star Winter OlympicsGold Star Olympic GamesGold Star Olympic Luge Events



Looking for something?              
Main
Articles
Art & Culture
Business
Education
Entertaining
Fashion
Health
Holidays
Home Life
Internet
Legal Guide
Pets
Pop Culture
Recipes
Recreation
Science
Shopping
Society
Sports
Technology
Tax Guides
Toy Reviews
Travel Guides
Wine Guides
Your Money

MAIN Arrow to Sports Sports Arrow to Olympics Olympic Games Arrow to Olympics Luge Olympic Luge

Olympic Luge
© LaPresse

The luge or sled dates back to ancient Scandinavia where hollowed-out tree trucks may have been used as prehistoric transport.

The first historical evidence for the luge (French, for sled) dates to the Dark Ages in Norway, where sleds were used for fun, or as an easy way to transport people and materials.

As a sport, luge events were first held in St. Petersburg, Russia in the 16th century, and its popularity soon spread throughout Europe. However, it wasn't until 1833 that the first official games involving 21 competitors were held in Davos, Switzerland. A century later, the first world championship attracted over 50 athletes from around Europe, bringing the sport official recognition in 1957 with the founding of the International Luge Federation. Inclusion as an official Olympic sport only came in 1964 at the Innsbruck Games.

Today, the Olympic event is held over two rounds - with fastest times determined in thousandths of seconds - in the men's and women's single and men's double competitions.

Achieving speeds of up to 153 km/h means an occasional spill with an inevitable separation of athlete and sled. However, unlike Olympic bobsled, lugers arriving at the finish without the sled means automatic disqualification.



More about Olympic luge around the Web:

Luge - Vancouver 2010 - Event & competition venues & competition schedule, related sports terms & training overview, photo gallery.

International Olympic Committee - Luge - Overview of luge competitions, list of events, Olympic records, Flash presentation, athlete profiles, picture gallery, related links.

Canadian Luge Association - Team and athlete profiles, news, results and standings, schedule of events.

USALuge.org - The official site featuring news, athlete profiles, information on sponsored programs, membership info, American luge club contact details, related links.



also in Winter Olympics -> Alpine Skiing | Biathlon | Bobsled

Cross-country Skiing | Curling | Figure Skating | Freestyle Skiing

Olympic Ice Hockey | Nordic Combined | Short-Track Skating

Skeleton
| Ski Jumping | Speed Skating | Snowboard

 

also see in Sports -> Luge & Street Luge

 

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links


 



Like this page? E-mail it to a friend: E-mails are not recorded. Read our privacy policy

 

 
 

chiff.com - You're Guide to the Best Sites

Privacy  |  Mission Statement  |  Contact us |  Sitemap  |  Advertise with Us

All contents copyright © Chiff.com 1999 - 2009