Inside FIL: Interview with Sport Director Maria Luise Rainer

Berchtesgaden (FIL) Maria Luise Rainer has been FIL Sport Director for artificial track luge since eight years. The former luge athlete participated in four Olympic Winter Games and won the overall World Cup in the 1985/86 season. Now, before the 2022/23 season, Sport Director Maria Luise Rainer answers a few questions under the motto "Inside FIL":

Ms. Rainer, what are the most important topics on your agenda for the upcoming luge season?

Maria Luise Rainer: "The most important task for the 2022/2023 season is to create good framework conditions for the new Olympic discipline women's doubles and to integrate it well in the conventional competition format.
In addition to the EBERSPÄCHER World Cup series - which will also return to North America after a two-year break - the 51st FIL World Championships will be held on the newly renovated luge track in Oberhof. New to the 2022/2023 sports calendar is the introduction of the Continental Cup (for Youth A/YOG athletes). This new race series will be a relief but also a challenge for all organisers and national federations.
In general, we have to stay on the ball and, in order to stay "in trend", bow to the realities of today and adapt accordingly."

What Covid-19 measures are you currently planning for the coming winter? How do you see the development of the sport of luge in times of the pandemic?

Maria Luise Rainer: "After two competition seasons carried out under very difficult conditions, we have gained a lot of COVID 19 experience. The FIL was well positioned from the beginning with Corona matters - with a corresponding hygiene concept but also with its implementation. If we stick to the measures, I think we are not in a bad position, but you always have to be alert and be prepared for possible surprises.
In all respects, we have to remain agile and face responsibly the tasks that demand changes and challenges from us."

How would you describe the past 2021/22 Olympic season? What were the challenges and what were your personal highlights?

Maria Luise Rainer: "The 2021/2022 Olympic season was marked by several challenges for me personally. First and foremost was the China trip right at the start of the season, under the most difficult conditions (corona and travel restrictions), with endless training days combined with many discussions with those responsible for training and competition. We were isolated from the outside world and always worried about testing positive.
There were also personnel changes, such as the loss of staff, which meant extra work in areas not normally assigned to me.
The personal highlights were, despite all the difficulties and challenges, to successfully master the 2021/2022 competition season. I felt that inwardly with joy, satisfaction and pride.
And then, of course, the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing: they were a highlight for me, despite COVID regulations and no permitted spectators, with nice people! I remember that very fondly"!

What was special about the Winter Olympics in Beijing 2022 and what do you expect in comparison to the 2026 Games in your home country of Milan-Cortina?

Maria Luise Rainer: "They were Olympic Winter Games that I have never experienced in this form, under COVID restrictions and without spectators. The Olympic luge competitions for Women, Men, Doubles and the Team relay were a great event for the FIL in terms of the competition track and the sporting events on a top level and of the highest quality.
It was impressive what the organisers had put together with their countless volunteers who had to go into quarantine before and after the Olympic Winter Games and who, despite all this, radiated and displayed a joy, hospitality and willingness to help.
Having the Winter Olympics at home in Milano/Cortina is very special for me. I am looking forward to Milano/Cortina. I am confident and convinced that the OC is making a great effort and that good, exciting Winter Games will be held”.

Is there anything you have always wanted to say to the luge fans, athletes, coaches or people interested in luge?

Maria Luise Rainer: "Indeed, if I have the opportunity to do so, I would like to sincerely thank everyone I have had to deal with in the past years and will already have to deal with; whether the FIL Executive Board, organisers, officials, judges, volunteers, helpers, employees, coaches, trainers and athletes - I thank them most sincerely for the good cooperation, the great understanding and the everlasting willingness to help during the past years. Even if it sometimes seems difficult and certain measures are not understood or do not want to be understood, I only try my best for the sport of luge".

Thank you very much for the interview!