Doug Hansen
Luge Athlete/Builder - Inducted 1991
Doug Hansen began his luge career in Europe in 1970 as there were no luge tracks in North America at the time. He was a member of the Canadian National Luge Team competing at the 1971 World Championships and the 1972 and 1976 Winter Olympics. The doubles start was revolutionized by his invention of the "doubles start strap" which is still used today.
Doug Hansen retired in 1978 to become the Canadian National Luge Chairman for the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary. In 1983, he founded the Alberta Amateur Luge Association to ensure that provincial athletes had the opportunity to compete in luge events. Doug Hansen has been involved as a luge official at both the provincial and national levels.
