Gangwon (FIL) Lily Cooke will make history at Gangwon 2024 as Ireland’s first athlete to compete in luge at the Winter Youth Olympic Games.
16 years old Cooke was inspired after seeing Elsa Desmond make Ireland’s Olympic luge debut at Beijing 2022.
“When I saw Ireland competing in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, I decided I wanted to try luge,” explained Cooke.
Now, heading into the first Youth Olympic Games to be staged in Asia, Cooke has formed a unique bond with Desmond, who is now her coach.
“I am very grateful to have made it to YOG thanks to my coach,” said Cooke. “I’m so excited to have this amazing experience in Korea with all the other amazing athletes.”
‘Doctor Luge’ scoring again for Ireland
Desmond stole hearts and minds at Beijing 2022 thanks to her incredible personal journey, chasing her dream of becoming an Olympic athlete in luge – the fastest sport on ice – at the relatively late age of 18, while also pursuing her career dreams in medicine.
When she lined up at the Olympic Games, she was competing against many luge athletes in Europe who started learning this physically and mentally demanding sport from as young as six years old.
Now, Desmond is doing everything possible for young luge athletes from Ireland with the same dreams.
“I am so proud of Lily for all her hard work,” said Desmond. “Qualifying for YOG was not easy, but she worked hard and it all paid off. “This is a huge achievement for her and for Ireland.”
‘More than a coach’
Desmond will be supporting Cooke all the way at Gangwon 2024, as her travelling coach and much more.
“Elsa Desmond is my sports idol, as well as my coach, teammate and friend,” concluded Cooke. “She helps me overcome every challenge, both on and off the ice.”
Irish flair at Gangwon 2024
Cooke will join a total of 102 luge athletes from 26 nations at Gangwon 2024 competing at the Alpensia Sliding Center in Pyeongchang – venue of the 2018 Winter Olympics – in Men’s and Women’s Single, Men’s and Women’s Double and Team Relay events from 20-23 January.
“We can’t wait to see our first Irish athlete compete at the Youth Olympic Games,” said Nancy Chillingworth, Chef de Mission from Ireland’s National Olympic Committee. “These are exciting times for luge – with so many new nations competing at Gangwon 2024, and now the big potential of at least two Irish luge athletes at Milano-Cortina 2026!”
