2010 Winter Olympic Games: Luge Summary

Overview

Nine medals were awarded in the luge, a sport in which an individual rides a sled down a bobsled track on their back steering the sled with their feet. The Germans dominated the sport in Vancouver, winning two gold medals, one silver medal, and two bronze medals. Austria won one gold medal and one silver medal, while Latvia won one silver medal, and Italy garnered a bronze medal.

The tragic death of Nodar Kumaritashvili, of Georgia, overshadowed the luge competition. During the training runs on February 12, hours before the opening ceremonies, he lost control of his sled while navigating through the final curve of the course. Catapulted into the air at nearly 90 miles per hour, Kumaritashvili hit a steel support beam on the outside of the track. Although quickly airlifted to a local hospital, he died from his injuries. As a result of the tragedy, the men's luge runs began at the women's start position, to reduce the speed of the sled. The women's start was moved to a lower position as well. Moreover, a wooden barrier was constructed above the site of the accident.

Men

No individual won more than one medal each in the two events. In the singles event, Felix Loch, of Germany, won the gold medal, while his teammate, David Moeller, garnered the silver medal. Armin Zoeggeler, of Italy, captured the bronze medal. In the doubles event, Andreas Linger and Wolfgang Linger, of Austria, won the gold medal, while Andris Sics and Juris Sics, of Latvia, garnered the silver medal. The Linger's teammates, Patric Leitner and Alexander Resch, captured the bronze medal.

Singles

Gold - Felix Loch - Germany

Silver - David Moeller - Germany

Bronze - Armin Zoeggeler - Italy

Doubles

Gold - Andreas Linger and Wolfgang Linger - Austria

Silver - Andris Sics and Juris Sics - Latvia

Bronze - Patric Leitner and Alexander Resch - Germany

Women

With only one event for the women, no individual won more than one medal. Tatjana Huefner, of Germany, won the gold medal; Nina Reithmayer, of Austria, garnered the silver medal; and Natalie Geisenberger, of Germany, captured the bronze.

Singles

Gold - Tatjana Huefner - Germany

Silver - Nina Reithmayer - Austria

Bronze - Natalie Geisenberger - Germany

References:

Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee, Luge, Vancouver 2010 Official Website