Luge at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's singles
Encyclopedia
The men's luge
at the 2010 Winter Olympics
took place on 13–14 February 2010 at the Whistler Sliding Centre
in Whistler, British Columbia
. Germany
's Felix Loch
was the two-time defending
world champion
and won the gold medal with the fastest time in each of the four runs. The test event that took place at the venue was won by Germany's David Möller
, who would win the silver medal in this event. Italy
's Armin Zöggeler
was the two-time defending
Olympic champion
and won a bronze medal in this event. The last World Cup event prior to the 2010 games took place in Cesana, Italy on 30 January 2010 and was won by Zöggeler, who also won the overall World Cup title.
As a consequence of the training accident that killed Nodar Kumaritashvili
on 12 February 2010 officials moved the start of the men's singles competition to the women's/doubles start to reduce the speed of the racers. This change was met with mixed reviews, with some participants saying that the change made them feel safer, while others complained that it gave an advantage to stronger starters.
at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver
, Canada
was held at the Whistler Sliding Centre
in Whistler
, British Columbia
. The track was constructed between 2005 and 2008, and became the 15th competition-level track in the world. It was certified for competition in sliding sports by the International Luge Federation (FIL) and the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT) in March 2008 in a process called homologation where hundreds of athletes ran the track. This was the first time many competitors at the 2010 Games were able to try the track and begin to develop strategies for it. Canadian athletes hoped that having it open two years before the Games, and having that amount of time to train on it, would give them an advantage in the Games. The Whistler Sliding Centre quickly gained a reputation as among the fastest tracks in the world.
(IOC). They entrust 5 officials with making decisions about whether competition rules have been followed: a technical delegate, three jury members from different countries, and an international judge. These decisions are implemented and enforced by a race director, to whom the overall responsibility for running the competition is given, but who is assisted by a start leader who coordinates the starting area, a finish leader who coordinates the finish area, and a Chief of Track who is in charge of track maintenance. Under the rules, competitors were guaranteed a minimum of five official training runs in the days prior to the competition. The competition itself consists of four runs. Athletes begin their runs on their sleds at a starting block, use their hands to push themselves off in the starting area, and then on their backs on the sleds through the remainder of the course. Athletes are ranked by the speed of their times measured between their start and the finish line at the bottom of the track.
's Albert Demtschenko
, the defending Olympic silver medalist and the European
champion, would win the event, with the other medalists being Germany's Loch and Möller. In the final results, Zöggeler edged out Demtschenko for third place.
s, the International Luge Federation (FIL) does maintain records for both the start and a complete run at each track it competes.
These records were set during the test event from the men's start house for the 2010 Games on 21 February 2009.
was going at over 143 km/h (88.9 mph) when he crashed in the last turn and hit a steel pole. He was administered CPR
at the track, then taken away to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Training was immediately stopped. As a result, the start of the men's single competition was moved to the women's/doubles' start to reduce speed and the wall at corner where Kumaritashvili crashed was raised.
Investigations conducted the same day concluded that the accident was not caused by deficiencies in the track. As a preventative measure, the walls at the exit of curve 16 were to be raised and a change in the ice profile would be made. A joint statement was issued by the FIL, the International Olympic Committee
, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee over Kurmaitasvili's death with training suspended for the rest of that day. According to the Coroners Service of British Columbia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
, the cause was to Kumaritashvili coming out of turn 15 late and not compensating for turn 16. Because of this fatality, an extra 40 yd (36.6 m) of wall was added after the end of Turn 16 and the ice profile was changed. It also moved the men's singles luge event from its starthouse to the one for both the women's singles and men's doubles event. Kumaritashvili is the first Olympic athlete to die at the Winter Olympics in training since the death of Nicolas Bochatay
during a speed skiing
practice at the 1992 Winter Olympics
and the first luger to die in a practice event at the Winter Olympics since Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypeski
of Great Britain was killed at the luge track
used for the 1964 Winter Olympics
in Innsbruck
. It was also luge's first fatality (on an artificial track) since 10 December 1975, when an Italian luger was killed. Kumaritavili's teammate Levan Gureshidze
withdrew prior to the first run of the event.
The women's singles and men's doubles start was moved to the Junior start house of the track, located after turn 5. Germany's Natalie Geisenberger
complained that it was not a women's start but more of a kinder ("child" in German) start. Her teammate Tatjana Hüfner
who had the fastest speed on two runs of 82.3 mph (132.4 km/h) stated that the new start position "..does not help good starters like myself". American Erin Hamlin
stated the track was still demanding even after the distance was lessened from 1193 to 953 m (3,914 to 3,126.6 ft) and that athletes were still hitting 80 mph (128.7 km/h). However, media reports noted that as a result of the changes there were no major crashes during the men's singles competition.
Despite the changes, and celebrations by the victorious athletes, Kumaritashvili's death overshadowed the race. Some athletes who participated in the competition said they were scared during their runs, and welcomed the track changes. Others criticized the changes as having given an advantage to stronger starters like the German participants, as opposed to weaker starters who would have benefited from having a longer course. Argentina's Ruben Gonzalez said, "God blessed the Germans today."
On 23 March 2010, FIL President Fendt, VANOC President John Furlong
, 2010 men's singles gold medalist Felix Loch
of Germany
visited Kumaritashvili's grave in his hometown of Bakuriani
to pay respects as part of tradition in the Georgian Othrodox Church.
The FIL published their reports in regards to Kumaritashvili's death on 12 April 2010 following the FIL Commissions Meeting in St. Leonhard, Austria
(near Salzburg
) for both sport and technical commissions on 9-11 April 2010. This report was prepared by Romstad and Claire DelNegro, Vice-President Sport Artificial Track, who is from the United States.
(withdrew)
(died during training)
Time listed at top in italics is start time while time below is the track time. SR - Start Record. TR - Track Record. Top finishes in both times are in boldface.
Loch ended Zöggeler's two straight championships with the fastest times in each of the four runs to become the youngest Olympic champion ever in luge. Zöggeler's fifth medal in this event matched that of Georg Hackl
, now a coach on the German team, who won three golds and two silvers between 1988
and 2002
. The winning margin of victory was the second largest in this event in Winter Olympics history with Paul Hildgartner
of Italy's win over Sergey Danilin
of the then-Soviet Union
at the 1984 Games
being larger (0.704 seconds)
Luge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
took place on 13–14 February 2010 at the Whistler Sliding Centre
Whistler Sliding Centre
The Whistler Sliding Centre is a Canadian bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track located in Whistler, British Columbia, that is north of Vancouver. The centre is part of the Whistler Blackcomb resort, which comprises two ski mountains separated by Fitzsimmons Creek...
in Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is a Canadian resort town in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in the province of British Columbia, Canada, approximately north of Vancouver...
. Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's Felix Loch
Felix Loch
Felix Loch is a German luger and Olympic champion. He has been competing since 1995 and has been on the German national team since 2006. He won five medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with four golds and one silver...
was the two-time defending
FIL World Luge Championships 2008
The FIL World Luge Championships 2008 took place January 21-27, 2008 at the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Oberhof, Germany for the third time after having hosted the event in 1973 and 1985. The relay competition took the place of the team event that had been held at every world...
world champion
FIL World Luge Championships 2009
The FIL World Luge Championships 2009 ran on 1–8 February 2009 at the bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Lake Placid, New York, United States for the second time after having hosted the event in 1983...
and won the gold medal with the fastest time in each of the four runs. The test event that took place at the venue was won by Germany's David Möller
David Möller
David Möller is a German luger who has competed since 2001. He won six medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with four golds , one silver , and one bronze Möller also won four medals at the FIL European Luge Championships with one gold , one silver...
, who would win the silver medal in this event. Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
's Armin Zöggeler
Armin Zöggeler
Armin Zöggeler is a luger and double Olympic champion who is an Italian national. He is one of the most successful men in the sport, nicknamed Il Cannibale , for his notable series of victories, or The Iceblood Champion, for his always cold, rational approach to the races.Zöggeler was born in...
was the two-time defending
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
Olympic champion
2006 Winter Olympics
The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter...
and won a bronze medal in this event. The last World Cup event prior to the 2010 games took place in Cesana, Italy on 30 January 2010 and was won by Zöggeler, who also won the overall World Cup title.
As a consequence of the training accident that killed Nodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar David Kumaritashvili was a Georgian luger, who suffered a fatal crash during a training run for the 2010 Winter Olympics competition in Vancouver, Canada, on the day of the opening ceremony...
on 12 February 2010 officials moved the start of the men's singles competition to the women's/doubles start to reduce the speed of the racers. This change was met with mixed reviews, with some participants saying that the change made them feel safer, while others complained that it gave an advantage to stronger starters.
Logistics
Track
Men's singles lugeLuge
A Luge is a small one- or two-person sled on which one sleds supine and feet-first. Steering is done by flexing the sled's runners with the calf of each leg or exerting opposite shoulder pressure to the seat. Racing sleds weigh 21-25 kilograms for singles and 25-30 kilograms for doubles. Luge...
at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
was held at the Whistler Sliding Centre
Whistler Sliding Centre
The Whistler Sliding Centre is a Canadian bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track located in Whistler, British Columbia, that is north of Vancouver. The centre is part of the Whistler Blackcomb resort, which comprises two ski mountains separated by Fitzsimmons Creek...
in Whistler
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler is a Canadian resort town in the southern Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in the province of British Columbia, Canada, approximately north of Vancouver...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. The track was constructed between 2005 and 2008, and became the 15th competition-level track in the world. It was certified for competition in sliding sports by the International Luge Federation (FIL) and the International Bobsleigh and Tobogganing Federation (FIBT) in March 2008 in a process called homologation where hundreds of athletes ran the track. This was the first time many competitors at the 2010 Games were able to try the track and begin to develop strategies for it. Canadian athletes hoped that having it open two years before the Games, and having that amount of time to train on it, would give them an advantage in the Games. The Whistler Sliding Centre quickly gained a reputation as among the fastest tracks in the world.
Rules and description of competition
Rules for Olympic luge competitions are set by the International Luge Federation (FIL) and the International Olympic CommitteeInternational Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
(IOC). They entrust 5 officials with making decisions about whether competition rules have been followed: a technical delegate, three jury members from different countries, and an international judge. These decisions are implemented and enforced by a race director, to whom the overall responsibility for running the competition is given, but who is assisted by a start leader who coordinates the starting area, a finish leader who coordinates the finish area, and a Chief of Track who is in charge of track maintenance. Under the rules, competitors were guaranteed a minimum of five official training runs in the days prior to the competition. The competition itself consists of four runs. Athletes begin their runs on their sleds at a starting block, use their hands to push themselves off in the starting area, and then on their backs on the sleds through the remainder of the course. Athletes are ranked by the speed of their times measured between their start and the finish line at the bottom of the track.
Preview
In a 2 February 2010 interview with the International Luge Federation, Italy's Zöggeler predicted that RussiaRussia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
's Albert Demtschenko
Albert Demtschenko
Albert Demtschenko is a Russian luger who has competed since 1992. A six-time Winter Olympian, he finally won his first medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin with a silver in the men's singles event...
, the defending Olympic silver medalist and the European
FIL European Luge Championships 2010
The FIL European Luge Championships 2010 took place 19 - 24 January 2010 in Sigulda, Latvia for the second time, hosting the event previously in 1996.-Festivities:...
champion, would win the event, with the other medalists being Germany's Loch and Möller. In the final results, Zöggeler edged out Demtschenko for third place.
Records
While the IOC does not consider luge times eligible for Olympic recordOlympic record
Olympic records are the best performances in a specific event in that event's history in either the Summer Olympic Games or the Winter Olympic Games...
s, the International Luge Federation (FIL) does maintain records for both the start and a complete run at each track it competes.
These records were set during the test event from the men's start house for the 2010 Games on 21 February 2009.
| Type | Date | Athlete | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 21 February 2009 | 3.541 | |
| Track | 21 February 2009 | 46.808 |
Death of Nodar Kumaritashvili
During training on 12 February 2010, Georgian luger, Nodar KumaritashviliNodar Kumaritashvili
Nodar David Kumaritashvili was a Georgian luger, who suffered a fatal crash during a training run for the 2010 Winter Olympics competition in Vancouver, Canada, on the day of the opening ceremony...
was going at over 143 km/h (88.9 mph) when he crashed in the last turn and hit a steel pole. He was administered CPR
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure which is performed in an effort to manually preserve intact brain function until further measures are taken to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing in a person in cardiac arrest. It is indicated in those who are unresponsive...
at the track, then taken away to hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Training was immediately stopped. As a result, the start of the men's single competition was moved to the women's/doubles' start to reduce speed and the wall at corner where Kumaritashvili crashed was raised.
Investigations conducted the same day concluded that the accident was not caused by deficiencies in the track. As a preventative measure, the walls at the exit of curve 16 were to be raised and a change in the ice profile would be made. A joint statement was issued by the FIL, the International Olympic Committee
International Olympic Committee
The International Olympic Committee is an international corporation based in Lausanne, Switzerland, created by Pierre de Coubertin on 23 June 1894 with Demetrios Vikelas as its first president...
, and the Vancouver Organizing Committee over Kurmaitasvili's death with training suspended for the rest of that day. According to the Coroners Service of British Columbia and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police , literally ‘Royal Gendarmerie of Canada’; colloquially known as The Mounties, and internally as ‘The Force’) is the national police force of Canada, and one of the most recognized of its kind in the world. It is unique in the world as a national, federal,...
, the cause was to Kumaritashvili coming out of turn 15 late and not compensating for turn 16. Because of this fatality, an extra 40 yd (36.6 m) of wall was added after the end of Turn 16 and the ice profile was changed. It also moved the men's singles luge event from its starthouse to the one for both the women's singles and men's doubles event. Kumaritashvili is the first Olympic athlete to die at the Winter Olympics in training since the death of Nicolas Bochatay
Nicolas Bochatay
Nicolas Bochatay was a Swiss speed skier who died during the 1992 Winter Olympics. Bochatay was killed when he collided with a snow grooming vehicle on the morning of the speed skiing finals. He was the nephew of Olympic skier Fernande Bochatay.-Personal life:Bochatay, a carpenter, was...
during a speed skiing
Speed skiing
Speed skiing is the sport of skiing downhill in a straight line as quickly as possible. It is one of the fastest non-motorized sports on land. The current world record for skiing is 251.4 km/h , held by Simone Origone...
practice at the 1992 Winter Olympics
1992 Winter Olympics
The 1992 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XVI Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated from 8 to 23 February 1992 in Albertville, France. They were the last Winter Olympics to be held the same year as the Summer Olympics, and the first where the Winter Paralympics...
and the first luger to die in a practice event at the Winter Olympics since Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypeski
Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypeski
Kazimierz Kay-Skrzypecki was a Polish-born British luge racer.Kay-Skrzypecki was a former pilot in the Royal Air Force. He died during one of the training runs for the first Olympic luge competition at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck. Three days later, on 26 January 1964, Australian...
of Great Britain was killed at the luge track
Igls bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track
The Olympic Sliding Centre Innsburck is a venue for bobsleigh, luge and skeleton located in Igls, Austria . The most recent version of the track was completed in 1975 and is the first permanent, combination artificially refrigerated bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track, serving as a model for other...
used for the 1964 Winter Olympics
1964 Winter Olympics
The 1964 Winter Olympics, officially known as the IX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Innsbruck, Austria, from January 29 to February 9, 1964...
in Innsbruck
Innsbruck
- Main sights :- Buildings :*Golden Roof*Kaiserliche Hofburg *Hofkirche with the cenotaph of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor*Altes Landhaus...
. It was also luge's first fatality (on an artificial track) since 10 December 1975, when an Italian luger was killed. Kumaritavili's teammate Levan Gureshidze
Levan Gureshidze
Levan Gureshidze is a Georgian luger who has competed since 2008. He finished 55th in the 2008-09 Luge World Cup.Gureshidze qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics but withdrew from the competition after teammate Nodar Kumaritashvili died during a training run accident at the Olympics...
withdrew prior to the first run of the event.
The women's singles and men's doubles start was moved to the Junior start house of the track, located after turn 5. Germany's Natalie Geisenberger
Natalie Geisenberger
Natalie Geisenberger is a German luger. She won a bronze medal in the women's singles event at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver....
complained that it was not a women's start but more of a kinder ("child" in German) start. Her teammate Tatjana Hüfner
Tatjana Hüfner
Tatjana Hüfner is a German luger who is the current Olympic Champion and has competed since 2003. She won the bronze medal in the women's singles at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin...
who had the fastest speed on two runs of 82.3 mph (132.4 km/h) stated that the new start position "..does not help good starters like myself". American Erin Hamlin
Erin Hamlin
Erin Hamlin is an American luger who has competed since 2005. She won the gold medal in the women's singles event at the 2009 FIL World Luge Championships in Lake Placid, New York; this marked the first time in 99 races that a German woman was not the top finisher.Hamlin finished 12th in the...
stated the track was still demanding even after the distance was lessened from 1193 to 953 m (3,914 to 3,126.6 ft) and that athletes were still hitting 80 mph (128.7 km/h). However, media reports noted that as a result of the changes there were no major crashes during the men's singles competition.
Despite the changes, and celebrations by the victorious athletes, Kumaritashvili's death overshadowed the race. Some athletes who participated in the competition said they were scared during their runs, and welcomed the track changes. Others criticized the changes as having given an advantage to stronger starters like the German participants, as opposed to weaker starters who would have benefited from having a longer course. Argentina's Ruben Gonzalez said, "God blessed the Germans today."
On 23 March 2010, FIL President Fendt, VANOC President John Furlong
John Furlong (Canadian)
John Furlong, O.C, O.B.C was the President and Chief Executive Officer of VANOC which oversaw the preparation and execution of the 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics Games...
, 2010 men's singles gold medalist Felix Loch
Felix Loch
Felix Loch is a German luger and Olympic champion. He has been competing since 1995 and has been on the German national team since 2006. He won five medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with four golds and one silver...
of Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
visited Kumaritashvili's grave in his hometown of Bakuriani
Bakuriani
Bakuriani is a skiing resort in the Borjomi district of Georgia. It is located on the northern slope of the Trialeti Range, at an elevation of 1,700 meters above sea level....
to pay respects as part of tradition in the Georgian Othrodox Church.
The FIL published their reports in regards to Kumaritashvili's death on 12 April 2010 following the FIL Commissions Meeting in St. Leonhard, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
(near Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
) for both sport and technical commissions on 9-11 April 2010. This report was prepared by Romstad and Claire DelNegro, Vice-President Sport Artificial Track, who is from the United States.
Qualifying athletes
Forty athletes qualified for the men's singles event as of 4 February 2010.(withdrew)
(died during training)
Results
The first two runs took place on 13 February 2010 at 17:00 PST and 19:00 PST. On 14 February 2010, the final two runs took place at 13:00 PST and 15:00 PST.Time listed at top in italics is start time while time below is the track time. SR - Start Record. TR - Track Record. Top finishes in both times are in boldface.
Loch ended Zöggeler's two straight championships with the fastest times in each of the four runs to become the youngest Olympic champion ever in luge. Zöggeler's fifth medal in this event matched that of Georg Hackl
Georg Hackl
Georg Hackl is a German former luger who was three time Olympic and World Champion. He is known affectionately as Hackl-Schorsch or as the Speeding Weißwurst a reference to what he looks like in his white bodysuit coming down the luge at fast speeds.Hackl was born in Berchtesgaden, Bavaria.He won...
, now a coach on the German team, who won three golds and two silvers between 1988
1988 Winter Olympics
The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event celebrated in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada from 13 to 28 February 1988. The host was selected in 1981 after having beat Falun, Sweden and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy...
and 2002
2002 Winter Olympics
The 2002 Winter Olympics, officially the XIX Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event that was celebrated in February 2002 in and around Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Approximately 2,400 athletes from 77 nations participated in 78 events in fifteen disciplines, held throughout...
. The winning margin of victory was the second largest in this event in Winter Olympics history with Paul Hildgartner
Paul Hildgartner
Paul Hildgartner is an Italian of German descent former luger who competed from the early 1970s to the late 1980s. Competing in five Winter Olympics, he earned two gold medals and one silver medal for his efforts...
of Italy's win over Sergey Danilin
Sergey Danilin
Sergey Danilin was a Soviet luger who competed from the early 1980s to the mid 1990s. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he earned the silver medal in the men's singles event at Sarajevo in 1984....
of the then-Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
at the 1984 Games
1984 Winter Olympics
The 1984 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XIV Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated from 8–19 February 1984 in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. Other candidate cities were Sapporo, Japan; and Gothenburg, Sweden...
being larger (0.704 seconds)
| Rank | Bib | Athlete | Country | Run 1 | Run 2 | Run 3 | Run 4 | Total | Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
3 | Felix Loch Felix Loch Felix Loch is a German luger and Olympic champion. He has been competing since 1995 and has been on the German national team since 2006. He won five medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with four golds and one silver... |
7.016 48.168 |
7.060 48.402 |
6.983 48.344 |
7.000 48.171 |
3:13.085 | 0.000 | |
 |
6 | David Möller David Möller David Möller is a German luger who has competed since 2001. He won six medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with four golds , one silver , and one bronze Möller also won four medals at the FIL European Luge Championships with one gold , one silver... |
7.043 48.341 |
7.055 48.511 |
7.016 48.582 |
6.999 48.330 |
3:13.764 | +0.679 | |
 |
8 | Armin Zöggeler Armin Zöggeler Armin Zöggeler is a luger and double Olympic champion who is an Italian national. He is one of the most successful men in the sport, nicknamed Il Cannibale , for his notable series of victories, or The Iceblood Champion, for his always cold, rational approach to the races.Zöggeler was born in... |
7.099 48.473 |
7.092 48.529 |
7.078 48.914 |
7.079 48.459 |
3:14.375 | +1.290 | |
| 4 | 10 | Albert Demtschenko Albert Demtschenko Albert Demtschenko is a Russian luger who has competed since 1992. A six-time Winter Olympian, he finally won his first medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin with a silver in the men's singles event... |
7.178 48.590 |
7.144 48.579 |
7.098 48.769 |
7.085 48.467 |
3:14.405 | +1.320 | |
| 5 | 12 | Andi Langenhan Andi Langenhan Andi Langenhan is a German luger who has been competing since 1995 and has been on the German national team since 2001. He won two bronze medals in the men's singles event at the FIL World Luge Championships .... |
7.062 48.629 |
7.027 48.658 |
6.995 48.869 |
6.985 48.473 |
3:14.629 | +1.544 | |
| 6 | 7 | Daniel Pfister Daniel Pfister Daniel Pfister is an Austrian luger who has competed since 2003. He won three medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with a silver Daniel Pfister (born December 7, 1986 in Schwaz) is an Austrian luger who has competed since 2003. He won three medals at the FIL World Luge Championships with a... |
7.111 48.583 |
7.118 48.707 |
7.087 48.883 |
7.076 48.553 |
3:14.726 | +1.641 | |
| 7 | 17 | Samuel Edney Samuel Edney Samuel Edney is a Canadian luger who has competed since 2000. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of seventh in the men's singles event at Vancouver in 2010.... |
7.171 48.754 |
7.088 48.793 |
7.047 48.920 |
7.031 48.373 |
3:14.840 | +1.755 | |
| 8 | 5 | Tony Benshoof Tony Benshoof Tony Benshoof is an American luger from White Bear Lake, Minnesota who has been competing since 1990... |
7.143 48.657 |
7.146 48.747 |
7.107 49.010 |
7.031 48.714 |
3:15.128 | +2.043 | |
| 9 | 9 | Wolfgang Kindl Wolfgang Kindl Wolfgang Kindl is an overweight Austrian luger who has competed since 2007. At the FIL European Luge Championships 2010 in Sigulda, he won silver medals in the men's singles and mixed team events.... |
7.150 48.707 |
7.151 48.755 |
7.124 49.080 |
7.099 48.553 |
3:15.525 | +2.130 | |
| 10 | 21 | Manuel Pfister Manuel Pfister Manuel Pfister is an Austrian luger who has competed since 1999. His best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 17th in the men's singles event at Oberhof in 2008.... |
7.184 48.677 |
7.194 48.835 |
7.159 49.064 |
7.122 48.693 |
3:15.269 | +2.184 | |
| 11 | 20 | Mārtiņš Rubenis Martinš Rubenis Mārtiņš Rubenis is a Latvian luger who has competed since 1998. He won the bronze medal at the men's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, becoming the first Latvian Mārtiņš Rubenis (born 26 September 1978 in Riga) is a Latvian luger who has competed since 1998. He won the bronze... |
7.194 48.818 |
7.172 48.831 |
7.145 49.210 |
7.133 48.809 |
3:15.668 | +2.583 | |
| 12 | 15 | Viktor Kneib Viktor Kneib Viktor Ivanovich Kneib is a Russian luger who has competed since the late 1990s. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 9th in the men's doubles event at Nagano in 1998.... |
7.170 48.899 |
7.139 48.862 |
7.097 49.224 |
7.085 48.747 |
3:15.272 | +2.647 | |
| 13 | 1 | Chris Mazdzer Chris Mazdzer Chris Mazdzer is an American luger who has competed since 2006. He competed at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, finishing 13th.Mazdzer's best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 14th in the men's singles at Lake Placid in 2009. His best World Cup season finish was 25th in... |
7.128 48.811 |
7.161 48.963 |
7.112 49.223 |
7.078 48.816 |
3:15.813 | +2.726 | |
| 14 | 19 | Jeff Christie Jeff Christie Jeff Christie is a Canadian luger who has slid since 1995 and competed internationally since 2000. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish at 14th place in the men's singles event twice at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics.Christie's best finish at the FIL... |
7.128 48.881 |
7.155 48.904 |
7.109 49.308 |
7.088 48.730 |
3:15.623 | +2.738 | |
| 15 | 13 | Bengt Walden Bengt Walden Bengt Walden is a Swedish-born, American luger who has competed since 1985, internationally since 1988, when he joined the Swedish national team. He married American luger Ashley Hayden in 2006, and joined the United States national team in 2007... |
7.164 49.002 |
7.137 48.865 |
7.118 49.323 |
7.125 48.794 |
3:15.984 | +2.899 | |
| 16 | 22 | Adam Rosen | 7.191 48.896 |
7.214 49.005 |
7.229 49.259 |
7.133 48.856 |
3:16.016 | +2.931 | |
| 17 | 11 | David Mair | 7.148 48.978 |
7.150 48.989 |
7.105 49.367 |
7.119 48.845 |
3:16.199 | +3.114 | |
| 18 | 35 | Inars Kivlenieks Inars Kivlenieks Inārs Kivlenieks is a Latvian luger who has competed since 2005. His best Luge World Cup season finish was 20th in men's doubles in 2006-07.... |
7.148 48.960 |
7.150 49.065 |
7.113 49.259 |
7.062 48.920 |
3:16.204 | +3.114 | |
| 19 | 18 | Stepan Fedorov Stepan Fedorov Stepan Veleryevich Fedorov is a Russian luger who has competed since 1999. He finished twelfth in the men's singles event at a World Cup event in Calgary on 21 November 2009.... |
7.233 49.214 |
7.138 48.859 |
7.091 49.123 |
7.098 49.021 |
3:16.217 | +3.312 | |
| 20 | 24 | Ian Cockerline Ian Cockerline Ian Cockerline is a Canadian luger who has competed since 2000. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 20th in the men's singles event at Vancouver in 2010.... |
7.180 49.033 |
7.185 49.132 |
7.135 49.297 |
7.100 48.871 |
3:16.243 | +3.158 | |
| 21 | 4 | Reinhold Rainer Reinhold Rainer Reinhold Rainer is an Italian luger who has competed since 1994. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of eighth in the men's singles event both in 1998 and in 2006.... |
7.260 48.846 |
7.306 49.065 |
7.256 49.416 |
7.256 49.007 |
3:16.334 | +3.349 | |
| 22 | 23 | Thomas Girod Thomas Girod Thomas Girod is a French luger who has competed since 1997. His best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 23rd in the men's singles event at Oberhof in 2008.... |
7.186 49.077 |
7.210 49.192 |
7.150 49.294 |
7.136 49.157 |
3:16.850 | +3.765 | |
| 23 | 30 | Maciej Kurowski Maciej Kurowski Maciej Kurowski is a Polish luger who has competed since 2005. His best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 29th in the men's singles event at Lake Placid, New York in 2009.... |
7.349 49.427 |
7.182 49.200 |
7.173 49.361 |
7.162 49.039 |
3:17.027 | +3.942 | |
| 24 | 14 | Jozef Ninis Jozef Ninis Jozef Ninis is a Slovakian luger who has competed since 1996. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 22nd in the men's singles event at Turin in 2006.... |
7.233 49.196 |
7.210 49.153 |
7.165 49.643 |
7.156 49.039 |
3:17.414 | +4.029 | |
| 25 | 33 | Ondřej Hyman Ondřej Hyman Ondřej Hyman is a Czech luger who has competed since 1995. His best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 29th in the men's singles at Oberhof in 2008.... |
7.152 49.284 |
7.128 49.346 |
7.103 49.512 |
7.092 49.247 |
3:17.389 | +4.304 | |
| 26 | 36 | Guntis Rekis Guntis Rekis Guntis Rēķis is a Latvian luger who has competed since 1997. He won two bronze medals in the mixed team event at the FIL World Luge Championships, earning them in 2008 and 2009.... |
7.222 49.275 |
7.195 49.625 |
7.146 49.476 |
7.171 49.071 |
3:17.447 | +4.362 | |
| 27 | 29 | Domen Pociecha Domen Pociecha Domen Pociecha is a Slovenian luger who has competed since 1998. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 26th in the men's singles event at Turin in 2006.... |
7.299 49.340 |
7.291 49.457 |
7.286 49.587 |
7.262 49.362 |
3:17.746 | +4.661 | |
| 28 | 27 | Jakub Hyman Jakub Hyman Jakub Hyman is a Czech luger who has competed since 2003. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 27th in the men's singles event at Turin in 2006.... |
7.226 49.379 |
7.235 49.726 |
7.202 49.465 |
7.186 49.231 |
3:17.801 | +4.716 | |
| 29 | 37 | Shiva Keshavan Shiva Keshavan Shiva Keshavan is the first Indian representative to compete in luge at the Winter Olympic Games.-Background and education:... |
7.303 49.561 |
7.311 49.529 |
7.265 49.597 |
7.253 49.786 |
3:18.473 | +5.388 | |
| 30 | 16 | Takahisa Oguchi Takahisa Oguchi Takahisha Oguchi is a Japanese luger who has competed since 1999. He finished 20th in the men's singles event at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin... |
7.366 49.542 |
7.287 49.780 |
7.269 49.818 |
7.254 49.903 |
3:19.043 | +5.958 | |
| 31 | 34 | Valentin Cretu Valentin Cretu Valentin Creţu is a Romanian luger who has competed since 2000. His best finish at the FIL World Luge Championships was 35th in the men's singles event at Igls in 2007.... |
7.299 49.726 |
7.276 50.224 |
7.260 49.931 |
7.281 49.594 |
3:19.475 | +6.390 | |
| 32 | 2 | Stefan Höhener Stefan Höhener Stefan Höhener is a Swiss luger who has competed since 1999. Competing in three Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 13th in the men's singles event at Salt Lake City in 2002.... |
7.143 48.728 |
7.172 53.838 |
7.142 49.559 |
7.092 48.713 |
3:20.838 | +7.753 | |
| 33 | 32 | Bogdan Macovei Bogdan Macovei Bogdan Macovei is a Romanian-born Moldovan luger who has competed since 2003. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 30th in the men's singles event at Turin in 2006.... |
7.373 50.425 |
7.362 50.175 |
7.299 49.931 |
7.386 50.331 |
3:21.354 | +8.269 | |
| 34 | 31 | Ma Chih-hung Ma Chih-Hung Ma Chih-hung is an aboriginal Taiwanese luger who has competed since 2003.The youngest competitor in men's luge at the 2006 Winter Olympics at Turin at the age of 20, he finished 28th in the men's singles event and qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics at Vancouver where he finished 34th... |
7.442 50.318 |
7.410 50.460 |
7.474 51.090 |
7.451 50.494 |
3:22.362 | +9.277 | |
| 35 | 25 | Peter Iliev Peter Iliev Peter Iliev is a Bulgarian luger who has competed since 2000. Competing in two Winter Olympics, he earned his best finish of 31st in the men's singles event at Turin in 2006.... |
7.338 50.348 |
7.272 50.701 |
7.250 50.921 |
7.351 50.428 |
3:22.398 | +9.313 | |
| 36 | 26 | Lee Yong Lee Yong Lee Yong is a South Korean luger who has competed since 1997. He finished 43rd in the men's singles event at the FIL World Luge Championships 2007 in Igls.... |
7.430 50.549 |
7.386 50.607 |
7.397 51.012 |
7.358 51.128 |
3:23.296 | +10.211 | |
| 37 | 28 | Ivan Papukchiev Ivan Papukchiev Ivan Papukchiev is a Bulgarian luger who has competed since 2004. He finished 38th in the men's singles event at the FIL World Luge Championships 2009 in Lake Placid, New York.... |
7.527 50.932 |
7.428 50.909 |
7.343 51.105 |
7.323 50.386 |
3:23.332 | +10.247 | |
| 38 | 39 | Rubén González Rubén González (luger) Rubén González is an Argentine luger who competed from 1984 to 2010. Competing in four Winter Olympics, he holds the record for being the first athlete to participate in four different Winter Olympic games in four different decades... |
7.567 52.540 |
7.549 52.155 |
7.601 52.298 |
7.501 51.312 |
3:28.305 | +15.220 | |
| 38 | Levan Gureshidze Levan Gureshidze Levan Gureshidze is a Georgian luger who has competed since 2008. He finished 55th in the 2008-09 Luge World Cup.Gureshidze qualified for the 2010 Winter Olympics but withdrew from the competition after teammate Nodar Kumaritashvili died during a training run accident at the Olympics... |
DNS |