Feet first downhill on a sled at cheetah speed: What to know about luge at the Winter Olympics

"Nobody knows for certain when luge the French word for sled started, since nobody surely took note of the first time someone slid feet-first down a slope. Some say the 15th century, with evidence that there were races in Norway around that time. USA Luge believes that the sport could date all the way back to around 800 B.C., citing research that Vikings used sleds that had two runners, kind of like those kids have gotten for decades."

"The sport, at least as we know it now, began taking off in 1964. It's all about speed, sliders on their backs, going feet-first and reaching more than 85 mph on some of the tracks that are in use around the world today. Here is what to know as the Winter Olympics arrive. How it works Luge features men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles and women's doubles in the Olympic program along with a team relay featuring one entrant from each discipline."

Luge possibly dates back centuries, with evidence of 15th-century races in Norway and claims tying sled use to Vikings around 800 B.C. The modern sport began gaining prominence around 1964. Sliders lie on their backs and go feet-first, reaching more than 85 mph on some tracks. Olympic events include men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, and a team relay with one entrant from each discipline. Athletes start by pushing off handles and dig spiked-gloved fingertips into the ice for speed, then steer using hands, legs, and weight. There are no brakes; athletes lift the sled's front and use their feet to slow.

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