KRASNAYA POLYANA — Russia took the silver medal in the new luge team event at the Sochi Olympics on Thursday, as Germany completed its clean sweep of gold medals in the sport.
In a result that was almost a foregone conclusion, Germany's champions from the men's singles, men's doubles and women's events came together at the Sanki Sliding Center to take the gold medal by a massive margin of 1.03 seconds.
The bronze medal went to Latvia, 1.646 seconds off the pace.
Italy finished fifth, denying a luge-record seventh Olympic medal to legendary slider Armin Zoeggeler in his last Olympic event.
Germany's gold-winning run began with Natalie Geisenberger, who hit a paddle at the bottom to release two-time Olympic men's champion Felix Loch, in turn setting off Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt, who won doubles gold Wednesday.
The team event is a new addition for Sochi and brings together male and female sliders for the first time in the same competition. At the bottom of each run, athletes raise their arms to hit a target that releases their next teammate.
There was no delay to the event despite a bizarre incident earlier in the day in which a non-competition bobsled struck a track worker, breaking both of his legs. The man, who has not been identified, was flown to hospital. International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach has said his life is not in danger.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
