Luge is a winter sport which involves sliding at high speed down an ice track on a tiny sled. The sport originated in the Swiss mountains where, in a macho show of courage that thrilled their womenfolk, young men would slide down icy slopes on upturned toilet seats, hence the sport's name. Over the years they experimented with various pieces of household furniture including couches, sideboards and bedsteads, before settling on the tea-tray as the optimum piece of crazy sliding equipment. To make the sport a bit camper, they began sliding feet-first while wearing skin-tight outfits.
The most famous current luger is Hans van Bruckelsnort who became world and Olympic champion despite there being no mountains in his native Holland. He is also the first openly gay athlete to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics, despite that event including men's figure skating since 1930.
