Dec 19 (Reuters) - Daria Olesik became ‌the first Russian luger to take part in a World Cup event ‌in nearly four years on Friday when she competed as a ‌neutral athlete in the women's singles competition near Lake Placid, New York.

Going second in snowy conditions, Olesik struggled to grip her luge at the start and lost speed when she was forced into a ‍long skid early in her run.