### USA Luge Secures 11 Spots for Milan Cortina Olympics Amidst International Tensions - The International Luge Federation has confirmed that the USA will send **11 athletes** to the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics, just one short of the maximum allowable number. This announcement comes amidst a backdrop of geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Russian athletes who will compete under neutral status due to sanctions related to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The inclusion of Russian athletes, specifically Roman Repilov and Daria Olesik, adds a layer of complexity to the competition as they will face Ukrainian competitors on the Olympic stage [https://www.thereporteronline.com/2026/01/12/luge-olympic-field][https://www.timesleader.com/sports/1729749/usa-luge-gets-11-athletes-into-milan-cortina-olympics][https://ksltv.com/olympics/usa-luge-11-athletes-olympics-1-shy-max/865980]. ### Breakdown of Olympic Qualification and Participation 1. **USA Luge Team Composition**: - The USA Luge team will consist of **11 athletes**, including three women and two men for singles races. The final roster is expected to include Emily Fischnaller, Summer Britcher, Ashley Farquharson, Jonny Gustafson, and Matthew Greiner [https://apnews.com/article/bobsled-skeleton-luge-olympics-6b88ba3e07f27fafacc0f7f68f37af27]. 2. **Russian Athletes' Participation**: - Russian athletes Roman Repilov and Daria Olesik have qualified but will compete as neutral athletes due to ongoing sanctions against Russia. This situation highlights the ongoing impact of international relations on sports [https://ksltv.com/olympics/usa-luge-11-athletes-olympics-1-shy-max/865980]. 3. **Geopolitical Context**: - The presence of Russian athletes at the Olympics is particularly significant given the backdrop of the conflict in Ukraine, which has led to widespread sanctions and a complex international sports landscape [https://www.timesleader.com/sports/1729749/usa-luge-gets-11-athletes-into-milan-cortina-olympics]. ### Key Data Points on Olympic Qualification - **USA Luge Team**: - **Total Athletes**: 11 - **Women**: 3 (Expected: Fischnaller, Britcher, Farquharson) - **Men**: 2 (Expected: Gustafson, Greiner) - **Russian Athletes**: - **Qualified**: 2 (Repilov, Olesik) - **Status**: Competing as neutral athletes ### Conclusion: A Complex Olympic Landscape - The upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics will showcase a diverse and competitive field in luge, with **11 athletes representing the USA** and **two Russian athletes competing under neutral status**. This situation underscores the intersection of sports and international politics, as athletes from different nations navigate the complexities of competition amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions. 1. **USA Luge's strong representation** with 11 athletes is a significant achievement, reflecting the country's competitive edge in the sport. 2. **Russian athletes' participation** as neutrals adds a unique dynamic to the competition, highlighting the ongoing impact of international relations on sports. 3. **The Olympic stage** will serve as a platform for athletes to showcase their skills, despite the surrounding controversies and challenges [https://www.thereporteronline.com/2026/01/12/luge-olympic-field][https://www.timesleader.com/sports/1729749/usa-luge-gets-11-athletes-into-milan-cortina-olympics][https://ksltv.com/olympics/usa-luge-11-athletes-olympics-1-shy-max/865980].