United States Luge Associaiton

The USLA is recognized as the National Governing Body (NGB) for the Winter Olympic Sport of Luge by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the International Luge Federation (FIL). It was created in 1979 when the Amatuer Sports Act of 1978 empowered the athletes to govern themselves. It is one of 33 Olympic sports of which 7 are Winter Olympic events. The word "luge" comes from the French word for "sled," while in Germany it is known as "rodel," and it is in the alpine countries of Europe that the sport first thrived. Luge was inaugurated as an Olympic sport at the 1964 IX Winter Olympic Games in Innsbruck, Austria. The luge competition consists of three events; mens singles, womens singles and mixed doubles. Mixed teams can consist of two athletes of either gender, but are almost always two men. The next Winter Olympic Games is scheduled for 2014 in Sochi, Russia.