In 1914 men's singles and doubles races were conducted at the 1st European championships. The 1st world championships were held in Oslo in 1955. Luge made its Olympic debut at the 1964 Games in Innsbruck, despite protests by many critics that the sport was too dangerous. Athletes go down the track feet first at speeds of up to 120 kph. In men's and women's singles events, each athlete has 4 runs over 2 days and the times are added together for the final result. The luge is steered by shifting bodyweight or pulling on reins. The doubles competition, in which teams can be same-sex or mixed, is a 1 day event in which each pair of athletes takes 2 runs down the course. No mixed-sex team has ever competed at the Olympics.

Most people who are visually impaired or blind usually do not have many opportunities to be involved in team sports and physical activity. One of the great benefits of goal ball is that it promotes teamwork and cooperation among participants.