Berchtesgaden (pps/November 3, 2009) According to a decision by the International Olympic Committee, IOC, a total of 70 luge athletes (born in 1994-1995) will be eligible to compete at the first Olympic Youth Games to take place in Innsbruck, Austria, in 2010. As reported during the Executive Board Meeting of the International Luge Federation, FIL, in Berchtesgaden, the IOC also confirmed four different FIL luge disciplines.

At the first edition of the Olympic Youth Winter Games in the 1964 and 1976 Olympic city, medals will be awarded in the women’s and men’s singles, double-seater and in the team relay. A total of 20 female and male juniors respectively as well as 15 doubles’ teams will be eligible to start.

The IOC will confirm the qualifying criteria at the beginning of December 2009. The FIL Sport and Youth divisions are currently working on the FIL proposals. The FIL is currently negotiating a way to present natural track luge as part of the cultural program.