Garth spoke about the problems in luge sports in Russia

For the development of sledging in Russia, it is necessary to return to the international arena due to the insufficient number of tracks in the country. About this TV channel RBC said the President of the Federation of luge sports of Russia (FSSR) Natalia Gart.

“For sledging, the variability of tracks is very important. And now we are essentially on the same track. All training takes place on the same track in Sochi. Competitions are held only there. Therefore, of course, the development of sledging in Russia requires a return to the international arena, said Garth.

Garth pointed to another challenge - training coaches. She said that “nowhere trainers in luge”, which is why the profession mostly come former athletes.

“That is, some basic sports education is given, and then coaches are still those who in practice, who did it themselves,” the head of the FSSR said.

The FSSR President noted that the main challenge remains the return of athletes to the international arena after suspension in 2022 due to the military operation in Ukraine.

In June 2025, the Congress of the International Luge Federation (FIL) extended the suspension of Russians, depriving them of the right to be selected for the 2020 Olympics. The FSSR, together with six athletes, challenged this decision in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

CAS partially satisfied the appeal – and the Russian sledgers (in single sleds) were able to speak in neutral status. However, according to Garth, the admission criteria remain opaque, and the prospects for performances with the flag and anthem are uncertain.