Luge entered the Olympic program relatively late. It happened in 1964 in Innsbruck. Since then, competitions in this type have been held at all Winter Olympic Games. During the competition, athletes descend from the mountain along a prepared track in a single or double sleigh. There are no steering devices on the sports sleds. The luge manages his "vehicle" by changing his body position.
The inhabitants of mountainous countries have always been able to go down on sleds from the slopes. However, the history of tobogganing began in 1883, when fans of this sport from different countries gathered in Switzerland and held the first international competitions. The International Federation appeared three decades after this event and existed for 22 years, after which it entered the Bobsleigh and Toboggan Federation. The decision to include in the program of the Winter Olympic Games was made in the early 50s of the last century. The luge competition has replaced the skeleton competition. In 1955, the first world championship took place, and two years later, the International Luge Federation was finally formed, which still exists today.
Participants go to the start sequentially. The time during which the next athlete begins the descent after his predecessor has left the course is established by the rules. The winner is the one who covers the distance in the shortest time. The order of the first start is determined by drawing lots, the sequence of performances in the next heats - according to the results of the previous ones. The total time is the sum of the results of several races. In singles, the results of four races are summed up, in doubles - two.
From the very beginning, there were three types of competitions in the Olympic program: men's and women's singles and men's doubles. The program of the 2014 Olympic Games will also include a team relay race, when singles and pairs from the same team will go to the start sequentially one after another.
The national Olympic team can include 10 athletes - 7 men and 3 women. In singles competitions, a team will exhibit 3 athletes in each category, in doubles - 2 crews. There are age restrictions: athletes under the age of 16 are not allowed to participate in the Olympic competitions.
One of the conditions of the competition is that the athlete must not lose the sleigh on the way and come to the finish line with them. Otherwise, the participant is removed from the competition. At the same time, a break in passing the distance is allowed. If the athlete falls or stops, he can sit down on the sled again and continue on the course.
There are many restrictions in luge sports. The rules regulate the design of the sleigh and their weight. Before the competition, the athlete himself and his equipment, including overalls, helmet, gloves and shoes, are also weighed.
Olympic luge competitions are held on artificial tracks. A wooden or concrete base is covered with ice, the temperature of which is often artificially maintained. A track with a length of 800 to 1200 m must contain from 11 to 18 bends with a minimum radius of 8 m. The height difference is also regulated, which is 70-120m, and the width of the gutter is from 130 to 150cm.
