KLF offers luge courses for young beginners in Korea

PyeongChang (FIL/10 Aug 2024) Recently, the Korean Luge Federation (KLF) successfully held its annual luge courses for beginners. 55 young participants came to the PyeongChang Olympic Sliding Center together with their parents and teachers to gain experience.

This year, the KLF offered participation in the luge trial courses primarily to students whose age groups may qualify them for the 2028 Youth Olympic Games.

The young participants went through three different areas. It began with a theory course with a luge video and a presentation by a coach. After this first session, the young athletes were divided into two groups. Each group went to the ice start and the wheeled sled training.

Namkyu LIM, who acted as a coach, said: “Most of the participating children are the right age for the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) 2028. I was able to identify some potential children who have a high level of performance.”

In fact, the KLF receives recommendations for the athletes from the coaches after the luge trial sessions. Those who are recommended are invited to the next intermediate level courses. Jieun Park, the president of KLF, said about the success of this course, “This trial course is one of the most important events for KLF. Five Gangwon 2024 athletes were scouted through this course and seven athletes are now in the national team. I would say that this is the future of Korean luge.”

The KLF has started to organize systematic luge courses in which the beginner - intermediate - advanced levels follow each other. Those who pass all the courses qualify for the national and junior team selection races. In order to generate a wider number of participants, the KLF has also awarded a financial prize to the TOP 2 regional federations that have sent the most participants to the luge courses.