Ice Hockey at the Winter Olympics

Ice Hockey at the Winter Olympics: Luge is the French word for sleigh. It is a small sleigh, which has the capacity of only one or two persons. During the luge competitions, the athletes race in these sleighs. The origin of luge dates back to the ancient times. The luges used in the modern days have much similarity with the sleighs used by the Vikings of Slagen countryside near the Oslo Fjord. Luge developed as a sport event during the nineteenth century. The organization, which governs the sport at the international level, is the Federation Internationale de Luge de Course or the FIL.

Luge in the Winter Games: Luge was included in the men's and women's Olympic program at the 1964 Innsbruck Games. There was also a mixed doubles event. However, the doubles team generally consisted of two men. Currently the events held at the Luge competitions are-

• Men's Singles
• Women's Singles
• Doubles

Rules of Luge: The Federation Internationale de Luge de Course or the FIL is authorized to set rules for luge at the international level. Some of the rules followed during the luge competitions are-

• Luge competitions are divided in various disciplines.
• Luge competitions can be held on an artificial track or a natural track.
• Generally, in the singles events, the participants take four runs each down the track. In the doubles event, competitors take two runs down the track.
• The time of each run is recorded. The times of each run are added. The player with the minimum time is declared the winner of the event.
• The competitors at the luge competitions are categorized under various age classes.
• Competition tracks and the sleighs used during the competitions have to be constructed as per the FIL rule-book.
• The luge track should be properly marked at the starting and finishing points during the competitions.
• All the equipments used during the luge competition have to be approved by the FIL.
• The participants must wear protective helmets during the competition.
• A number of juries are appointed during the luge competitions to monitor the game.
• According to the FIL rule-book, use of any performance enhancing drug during the competition is prohibited.

Medal winners in Luge: The leading nations in the field of the international luge competitions are Germany, Austria and Italy. Some of the famous luge athletes of the world are Armin Zoggeler, Albert Demtschenko, Martins Rubenis, Silke Kraushaar, Sylke Otto, Tatjana Hufner, Patric-Fritz Leitner, Alexander Resch, Andreas Linger, Wolfgang Linger, Georg Hackl, Armin Zoggeler, Andre Florschutz, Torsten Wustlich, Gerhard Plankensteiner and Oswald Haselrieder.