Series of special Olympic stories on the road to Milan-Cortina 2026:
Shiva Keshavan: India's luge pioneer with an iron will
Berchtesgaden (FIL/07 Oct 2025) For a country with little tradition of winter sports, India's Shiva Keshavan is an exceptional figure. He is the first Indian athlete to compete in the Olympic discipline of luge – and has achieved unprecedented status as a six-time Olympian.
From the Himalayas to the world stage
Born on August 25, 1981, in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, Shiva grew up in the Himalayan mountains – an environment where snow and ice are part of everyday life. His path to luge began in an unusual way: at school, he was sent to a sledding/winter camp which, contrary to expectations, included luge training. His talent became apparent early on, and with the support of Austrian Günther Lemmerer, he gained access to training methods that would otherwise have been virtually impossible in India.
At the age of 16, he qualified for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano (JAP), becoming the youngest male luger in the history of the Games.
Six Olympic Games – a legacy
Shiva Keshavan competed in six consecutive Winter Olympics from 1998 to 2018 – a record for a luger from India. His final placings may not have resulted in medals, but his achievement was symbolic: he competed in a sport in which his home country had neither the infrastructure nor widespread support.
In his last Olympic appearance in PyeongChang in 2018, he finished 34th in the men's singles.
After his active career, Shiva Keshavan became actively involved in promoting winter sports in India. He founded the Olympians Association of India and continues to be involved as a coach and sports official to support younger generations.
A look at moving footage
Watch the Olympic Channel videos on Keshavan and experience two decades of courage, speed, and determination – the story of an athlete who has left his own mark, not only on the luge.
Shiva Keshavan, the Olympic luger from the Himalayas
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“Shiva Keshavan: The Olympic luger from the Himalayas” — Olympic Channel olympics.com
The film shows the stages of his life, his struggles, and the passion with which he pursued his dreams.
Another recommended clip is “Shiva Keshavan: Luging through Olympic Games history”, which reflects on his participation and experiences over the years. olympics.com
