Inside the FIL: Interview with Hans-Jürgen Köhne on the dress rehearsal for the 2024 YOG

Berchtesgaden (FIL/17 April 2023) Hans-Jürgen Köhne is the chairman of the Commission for Youth and Development of the International Luge Federation (FIL). We had a chance to speak with Jürgen Köhne in PyeongChang, South Korea, at the Intercontinental Cup for Youth A that was held on February 11-12, 2023 at the Olympic track of PyeongChang 2018 and Gangwon 2024.

Mr. Köhne, the international training week in PyeongChang, held from January 31 to February 5, 2023, and the finals of the new Intercontinental Cup series that immediately follow it, was a dress rehearsal for the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon. What is your take on this important pre-event?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “Basically, these were two very good weeks in South Korea. What the Korean federation organized for the teams was really exemplary. For instance, all transfers were paid by the Korean federation, and the PyeongChang 2018 Legacy Foundation paid for all training runs.”

What kind of feedback have you received from the young athletes?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “The two weeks in South Korea were a very important experience for the athletes and coaches. We familiarized ourselves with a new track, but we also experienced a new culture. We were in Asia, which is quite different than Europe or America. The Koreans were always friendly, and we felt like family there. It was a super-wonderful time for everyone.”

Since PyeongChang 2018, the organizing team has not hosted any other large international luge competitions. Was there international support for the Continental Cup?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “I must say quite honestly that the entire organizing effort by the Korean federation and the operational flow of the competition were optimal. Even though the team had not hosted such a large international competition since 2018, everything was done wonderfully – by the event managers, judges, and NTOs. Everyone was well prepared and trained. There was nothing to indicate that only Asian championships, youth competitions, and national championships had taken place in Korea after 2018.

Did you have the support of international track workers and ice masters?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “That was unnecessary in the case of the Continental Cup. The track was in top condition from day one. Our track construction expert Walter Plainer was on-site with us. He said that he had never seen such a good profile as on the track in PyeongChang. The track team responded to all needs immediately. It was an all-Korean track team, without the international support of outside ice masters, and it was optimal.”

How was the cooperation between the Korean judges, organizers and international jury members and technical delegates at the pre-event?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “We were like one happy family and worked great together – mutually supporting one another. Everyone was super courteous and friendly. It was a lot of fun to work with our friends from South Korea.”

Did everyone start from the same start elevations? Are there differences between the male and female competitions at the YOG?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “All disciplines sled from the junior start, which is from curve six. This is the same for everyone, whether women's or men's singles or doubles. The team relay trials also worked out really well from the same starting point. During the ITW, everyone had the opportunity to learn the track very well.

How far have plans progressed for the 2024 YOG in Gangwon?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “I had already visited South Korea once last summer together with Markus Aschauer, chairman of the FIL Track Construction Commission. We attended some organizational meetings. The framework dates have been scheduled. The arrival day will be January 14, 2024. Training will already begin on January 15. The opening ceremony for YOG will be held at the ice arena in Gangneung on January 19. The youth Olympic village is in the student dormitories of the Gangneung-Wonju University.”

Is there anything that has not been resolved yet? Are there still important areas of unfinished business in organizing the YOG?

Hans-Jürgen Köhne: “It is really too bad that the OBS has not yet scheduled livestream coverage of the luge competitions, or the monobob or skeleton competitions. We are still working to resolve this issue. It would be very important for the various types of ice track sports to have a livestream of the 2024 YOG in Gangwon.

Thank you very much for this interview, Mr. Köhne!