Russian Federation athletes suspended from luge for war in Ukraine

Men's Luge Starthouse at the Utah Olympic Park. Photo: Michele Roepke

AUSTRIA —  On Sunday,  The International Luge Federation (FIL) announced in a statement that its executive board concluded a two-day autumn meeting in the Tyrolean winter sports resort of Imst.

The Board discussed a wide range of items in anticipation of the upcoming season in December. Of significant importance, the Executive Board discussed the continued impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its effect on the 2022-23 world cup racing schedule.

Because of safety and security reasons for the athletes, it was decided that the Russian athletes and their support team are temporarily suspended from participating in FIL sanctioned events. The FIL will be closely monitoring the situation and will react as conditions evolve.

There are 16 artificial tracks in the world, including one in Russia and one in Park City. Park City’s Olympic Training Site has embraced athletes from Ukraine.

Albert Demchenko, who is the current Luge coach of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) is the top slider from his country.

Demchenko’s Olympic Luge Results:

• Two silver medals, singles/team relay – Sochi 2014*
• One silver medal, singles – Torino 2006 
• 4th place, singles – Vancouver 2010
• 5th place, singles – Salt Lake 2002
• 7th place, doubles – Lillehammer 1994
• 8th place, doubles – Albertville 1992
• 9th place, team relay – Lillehammer 1994
• 10th place, doubles – Nagano 1998

*Stripped by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), along with 11 other Russian athlete medals from differing sports, due to doping ban.

ROC won another Luge medal, a women’s singles bronze, in the 2020 Beijing Olympics.

For the first time in years, Park City will host a Luge World Cup on Dec 16 and 17, and then will host a Youth Continental Cup on January 21.