by Beatrix Kiddo

Created on: January 15, 2010

The history of the luge at the Winter Olympics began when the Winter Olympics welcomed the luge in 1964.  Ever since that moment luge has climbed in global interest as the next great winter sport.  But where did the idea of sled runners begin and how did the sport of luge evolve into what it is today? 

Whether the French called it "sled" or the Germans called it "rodel" it's still defined by most as "luge."  Luge goes way back, as early as 800 BC.  The Oseberg Viking boat was salvaged at Norway in 1904 with the sleds still intact and proved that the Viking times used two runners to get those sleds moving. 

Sled runners and luge competitions were noted through chronicles in Norway during 1480 and later in 1552.  The luge became a festive event during 1883 with 2.5 mile race, 21 competitors with fast track sleds.  This early luge race began at St. Wolfgang to Klosters.  In kilometer measure that would be a total of four, a modest luge race but one that provided more to come.

The Federation Internationale de Bobsleigh et de Tobogganing included the "Section de Luge" during 1935 to be included in their all ice-track sports.  Switzerland is known as the "first luge lovers" since the luge was gifted by the Swiss.  Norway, however, shared the early Viking use of sled runners.  Oslo, Norway is where the first world championships were held in 1955.  The ice-track sport then made it's way into the Olympics 9 years later in 1964.

Olympics Luge Team, Runs & Tracks:

One of the most dangerous luge moments in history since the American team did not have experience in the luge.  America used soldiers stationed in Europe to enter as the U.S. Olympic luge team.  Each team consisted of two a athletes (man or woman) with three events, men's singles, women's singles and mixed doubles. 

In 1979 America created their first refrigerated luge run with positive feedback to better the Olympic luge run in 1980.  The luge runners have come a long way as they confirmed that the nations investment into a refrigerated luge track was well worth the construction, time and financial path.  In the XVIII Nagano Olympics in 1998 and the 2002 XIX Lake Placid Olympics the luge team scored a silver and bronze medal.  America decided to invest further into the nation's upcoming luge team success.

The first refrigerated luge track was demolished and replaced with a luge, bobsled and skeleton track following

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