UTAH OLYMPIC PARK – The 2002 Olympic Winter Games mark the first time in Olympic luge history that a father and son are competing in the same event.

Werner Hoeger and his son, Christopher Hoeger, who are representing Venezuela, began training Wednesday for the men’s single event. Competition in the men’s single luge is scheduled for Sunday 10 and Monday 11 February at Utah Olympic Park.

Both athletes, who live in Boise, Idaho/ USA, hold Venezuelan passports. They took up luge four years ago when the Olympic track in Park City was opened. They are members of the Solidarity Group of the International Luge Federation, which supports athletes from countries that are not able to provide training facilities themselves.

At last year’s World Championships Christopher finished 48th, two places better than his father.

Hoeger senior was born in Merida, Venzuela, while his son Christopher was born in Odessa, Texas/ USA. Werner is a university professor in Idaho and Christopher a student.

Aside from his participation in luge competitions around the world, Werner has made a name for himself in the field of wellness and fitness, publishing 38 books on the subject with his wife, Sharon.