Ireland sends first luge athlete, a doctor, to Beijing Winter Olympics

LONDON, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Elsa Desmond has become Ireland's first Olympic luge athlete in Beijing.

As a doctor, the 24-year-old said she "should know better" 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 a career in medicine.

When she lines up at the Yanqing National Sliding Center luge track, she will be compe