What is luge
Luge, derived from the French word "luge" meaning "sled," is a high-speed winter sport that combines elements of speed, skill and precision. Athletes race down an icy track lying feet first on their backs on a specialised sled, reaching top speeds of up to around 135km/h. A true test of courage and determination, luge isn't for the faint of heart.
The sport's origins can be traced back to the mountainous regions of Europe, where wooden sleds were used for transport. During the late 19th century, luge began to take shape as a competitive sport in the Swiss Alps.
The first international race was held in Davos in 1883, with competitors racing along a 4km icy road between Davos and the village of Klosters. In 1957, the sport gained even more international recognition with the establishment of the International Luge Federation (FIL). Since then, luge has evolved into an exhilarating Olympic sport that captivates audiences worldwide.
Olympic history of luge
Luge made its Olympic debut at Innsbruck 1964, featuring three events: men's singles, women's singles, and open doubles. The programme of events remained laregly unchanged until Sochi 2014, when the thrilling team relay was added to the schedule. The upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will feature another exciting addition to the events programme with the introduction of men's doubles and women's doubles, meant to replace the aforementioned open doubles. Luge continues to awe at the Olympics, with its incredible speed and tight racing.
Luge athletes to watch
Targeting his fifth Olympic Winter Games at Milano Cortina 2026, Germany’s Felix Loch remains a giant of the sport. He claimed the men’s singles title at Vancouver 2010 and Sochi 2014, along with the first-ever team relay title as part of the German team at Sochi 2014.
Nonetheless, his biggest rival in the men’s singles might be his very own teammate Max Langenhan, who’s been on a tear since Beijing 2022. The young slider has already claimed six world titles in three separate events, eyeing his first Olympic medal at Milano Cortina 2026.
Austria’s Madeleine Egle first burst onto the international scene at the Winter Youth Olympic Games Lillehammer 2016, where she won a bronze medal in the women’s singles event. Crowned world champion in 2021, she’ll look to win her first individual Olympic medal at Milano Cortina 2026.
However, the women’s singles event will be far from a foregone conclusion if teammate Lisa Schulte and Germany’s Julia Taubitz have any say in the matter. Schulte claimed her first world title at Altenberg in 2024, while Taubitz’s resume reads like an honour roll of luge achievements, including eight world titles and dozens of world cup victories.
The men’s doubles is full of intrigue as well, with Germany’s Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt chasing their fourth-straight Olympic gold medal in the event at Milano Cortina 2026.
Latvia’s Mārtiņš Bots and Roberts Plūme, along with Austria’s Thomas Steu and Wolfgang Kindl, will also look to strike gold at the Cortina Sliding Centre, as both pairs target their first Olympic title.
With women’s doubles set to make its Olympic debut at Milano Cortina 2026, Austria’s Selina Egle and Lara Kipp will be a pair to watch. The duo won back-to-back world titles in 2024 and 2025, placing them in a prime position to make history in 2026.
Of course, there will be other favourites in the mix as well, including Team USA’s Chevonne Forgan and Sophia Kirkby – two-time medallists at the world championships – and Germany’s Jessica Degenhardt and Cheyenne Rosenthal – world champions in 2023.
The team relay will likely remain a wild and thrilling competition, with Germany looking to win their fourth-consecutive Olympic title at the Cortina Sliding Centre.
Luge at Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
Luge competitions will be held at the Cortina Sliding Centre, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, from 6-22 February.
There are five events on the programme:
- Men's singles
- Men's doubles
- Women's singles
- Women's doubles
- Team relay
