Oberhof (pps) The organizers of the 2007 luge World Championships in Innsbruck-Igls have set a precedent: The hosts of the 2008 World Championships in Oberhof have initiated a nations-schools-project on the example of the 39th luge World Championships of the International Luge Federation (FIL) held in Igls, Austria. „We want a lot of cheering for every participating nation. Therefore we are building partnerships with schools up to the 2008 World Championships”, the chairman of the organizing committee Bernd Rossmann announced. 36 schools from the German federal state of Thuringia have confirmed their interest in the project to cheer for one of the participating nations during the World Championships.

Schools from the districts of Gotha, Schmalkalden-Meiningen, Sonneberg and Ilmkreis, from the city of Suhl as well as from the host city of Oberhof, would like to participate in the project. „The sport of luge has a great tradition in these places, and young talents go to school there", Rossmann explained the preselection, which was done together with the member clubs of the sled and bobsleigh federation of Thuringia.

On April 26, it will be revealed which school will cheer for which nation. After the ceremonious drawing of nations and schools in Oberhof, there will also be a first meeting of participants in the project. One thing is sure already now: The basic school of Schalkau (Kreis Sonneberg) will have a fan block for the current luge World Champion David Möller and for the bronze medalist Jan Eichhorn.