From Lake Placid, USA
(June 14, 2024) – The International Luge Federation (FIL) voted on Friday to uphold and continue a suspension of the Russian Luge Federation.
In a press release, the FIL stated “…in light of the ongoing war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine, the participation rights of athletes, coaches, trainers, and other officials of the Russian Luge Federation have been suspended until further notice.”
The FIL went on to state that the presence of Russian athletes, coaches, trainers and officials pose a high risk to the safety, peace and integrity of competition. The ongoing threat makes the suspension of the Russian program proportionate as long as hostilities in Ukraine continue.
Mixed World Cup to Replace Sprint World Cup for Coming Season
In another release, the FIL sports commission voted to introduce a new race series into the coming FIL World Cup season and 2025 World Championships.
As explained by the FIL in a release, “Mixed World Cup” will see a man and woman each compete in singles mixed relay, then men’s and women’s doubles teams in a separate mixed relay, with each discipline using its usual starting height. The touchpad will be different than the touchpad used in the traditional relay.
In the races, there will be two sleds, a men’s effort and a women’s effort. Men and women will start from their respective starts, where in the doubles races with men’s and women’s doubles both teams will go from the doubles start.
The most important part of this new format, at least for smaller nations, is that for the first time two nations can compete together if they’re unable to field a team of their own.
The event will debut during the first World Cup event of the season in Lillehammer, with two more races to follow in Altenberg and Pyeongchang. The Mixed World Championship will also take place in Whistler for the 53rd FIL World Championships.