FIL Youth and Development chairman Hans-Jürgen Köhne insists sliding sports should be live streamed at next year's Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon ©FIL

International Luge Federation (FIL) Commission for Youth and Development chairman Hans-Jürgen Köhne has hailed the efforts of South Korean organisers but called on Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to provide a live stream of luge events at next year's Youth Olympic Winter Games in Gangwon.

"It is really too bad that the OBS has not yet scheduled livestream coverage of the luge competitions, or the monobob or skeleton competitions," Köhne said.

"We are still working to resolve this issue, it would be very important for the various types of ice track sports to have a livestream."

Köhne was in Pyeongchang for the Intercontinental Cup for Youth A held on the Olympic track in an event which served as a rehearsal for the Games in 2024.

"I must say quite honestly that the entire organizing effort by the Korean federation and the operational flow of the competition were optimal," Köhne insisted.

"Even though the team had not hosted such a large international competition since 2018, everything was done wonderfully, there was nothing to indicate that only Asian championships, youth competitions, and national championships had taken place in Korea after 2018," Köhne continued.

FIL track construction expert Walter Plainer was also in attendance for the competition, but Köhne admitted that the condition of the track had made a great impression on international delegates.

"Plainer said that he had never seen such a good profile as on the track in PyeongChang," he said.

Hans-Jürgen Köhne, second from right, has praised South Korea's organisers for their arrangements at the sliding track to be used for the Winter Youth Olympics next year ©FIL
Hans-Jürgen Köhne, second from right, has praised South Korea's organisers for their arrangements at the sliding track to be used for the Winter Youth Olympics next year ©FIL

"The track team responded to all needs immediately, was an all-Korean track team, without the international support of outside ice masters, and it was optimal."

The South Korean National Federation provided transport to the venue and the Pyeongchang 2018 Legacy Foundation funded training runs.

"We felt like family there," Köhne said.

"The two weeks in South Korea were a very important experience for the athletes and coaches, we familiarized ourselves with a new track, but we also experienced a new culture, we were in Asia, which is quite different than Europe or America."

Next year, the teams are set to arrive on January 14 and begin training the following day, four days before the Opening Ceremony in Gangneung.

"All disciplines sled from the junior start, which is from curve six," Köhne added. 

"This is the same for everyone, whether women's or men's singles or doubles. 

"The team relay trials also worked out really well from the same starting point."