Europe
2021.10.28 16:38 GMT+8

German luge athletes start the countdown to Winter Olympics

Updated 2021.10.28 16:38 GMT+8
Ryan Thompson in Altenberg, Saxony

Olympic-bound athletes have less than 100 days left to train until the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing. In Europe, many competitors are busy with their final weeks of preparations. 

CGTN Europe visited one of Germany's luge and bobsled courses to catch up with three-time Olympic gold medalist Felix Loch. 

Loch took home the top prize for the first time in 2010 during the Vancouver games at the age of 20. He added to his medal collection during the 2014 games in Sochi, but the 2018 Pyeongchang games proved to be a disappointment for the German great.

He says he is hoping to win his fourth gold in 2022. 

"The chance for the medal, I would say they're not so bad," said Loch. "But the Olympics are always a little bit unique, you need four good runs, while normally we only need two good runs at the World Championships."

It takes more than being able to slide neatly at speeds of up to 150 kilometers per hour to get ready for the Olympic games. Training is a grueling, seven-day, hours-long process in luge. 

Competitors are looking to perfect their form on the track. Once they reach the finish line, they review their ride for what they could do better. 

Luge is all about small, precise movements. Cardio and strength training are key for a perfect slide on the ice.

"We start the preparation for this Olympic season and at the moment everything works really well," said Loch. "I have no problems, no injuries, and that's the important thing."

However, Loch is not the only world-class luger that's headed to Beijing. 

Athletes from Austria and Russia are also well-ranked and will prove to be difficult challengers for everyone in the event. 

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