Berlin (pps) Imre Pulai, Olympic champion in canoeing and one of the most popular athletes in his home country Hungary, plans to promote the sport of luge by means of his popularity. The 40-years old Pulai, who tried in vain to qualify for the Viessmann World Cup this season, intends to enthuse young talents about the sport of luge using his high degree of popularity. This was recently discussed in a meeting between the five-time World Champion, the President of the Hungarian Luge Federation László Bartha, and Josef Fendt, the President of the International Luge Federation (FIL).

At the 2000 Olympic Summer Games in Sydney, Pulai won the gold medal with his teammate Ferenc Novak. In 1995, he was Hungarian athlete of the year and in 1996 he captured the Olympic bronze medal in solo canoeing in Atlanta.