Winter Olympics 2022 - What are the differences between bobsleigh, luge and skeleton and why is the monobob women-only?

Part of the Winter Olympics’ appeal is the huge variety of sports and events on show. At one end of the spectrum is the strategic, slow-burning, tactical battle of curling. Ad/> At the opposite end are the ice sliding sports which see daredevil riders hurling themselves down a winding ice track on tray-like sleds at 90mph.

Beijing 2022Chen, Kwan and why 'having an athlete that looks like you gives you hope’43 MINUTES AGO Luge, skeleton and bobsleigh are thrilling to watch – especially now we have the ability to view head-cam POV footage of what riders see as they negotiate their runs at such incredible speeds. Bobsleigh in particular has been in the limelight in the lead-up to Beijing 2022 with Greg Rutherford’s ambitious attempt to qualify as part of Team GB’s four-man sleigh team. The London 2012 long jump champion was not selected, however.

Viewers of the Beijing Games would be forgiven for confusing their luge with their skeleton, their bobsleigh with their monobob. So what is the difference? And why is the new monobob a women-only event? Olympic panda mascots shortage in Beijing amid buying frenzy Are Winter Olympic gold medals made of real gold? Beijing 2022 Olympic Games: Schedule, big names, key events and more Bobsleigh There are two disciplines in men’s bobsleigh — two-man and four-man – while the women’s competition features the two-woman event as well as the new monobob, making its debut in Beijing. All of bobsleigh, skeleton and luge involve hurtling down ice tracks, reaching extremely high speeds, using a strong start, gravity and deft steering to clock the quickest times possible.