Lewis Johnson sits down with Olympic Luge hopefuls Brittney Arndt and Jonny Gustafson. Both athletes have been preparing at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. Between training and coaching, Arndt and Gustafson are playing video games with their teams and using esports to connect with people all over the world. 

But should esports be in the next Olympic Games? This is just some of what’s discussed in this episode of All In With Esports.

To learn more about Jonny, visit: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-luge/athletes/Jonny-Gustafson

For Brittany, visit: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-luge/athletes/Brittney-Arndt

Full Episode Breakdown:

2:52 – Living and training in the ‘bubble’ of the Lake Placid training center, Jonny and Brittney explain what it’s like to train in a post-COVID world.

5:03 – The training center in Lake Placid just had a $5 million upgrade, and Brittney and Jonny explain what the facilities look like, and how the set-up actually works.

8:14 – Brittney talks about her journey as a Luge Olympic athlete.

9:10 – Jonny talks about his life growing up in Lake Placid, and how he was introduced to the luge as young as twelve.

10:17 – How can any American find out about the slider search events (Bob Sledding and Luge) to see who may have what it takes to go all the way in these sports and what are the things they’re looking for in those athletes.

12:17 – What really goes into these slide sports, and why it’s not just sitting back and letting the sled work down a track.

16:27 – What is it like getting the opportunity to travel and compete in a sport you love? Jonny and Brittney give the inside details of what life is like. 

19:11 – Why gaming is so important at the Olympic Training center, and how it’s a community builder. 

22:14 – How Brittney and Jonny and connects with not just fellow athletes, but friends all over the world while she’s playing the game.

25:00 – When it comes to esports and the Olympic games, what do these two athletes think of being able to merge both worlds, and how exactly that would work.

28:24 – Can visitors experience a slide if they were to go and visit Lake Placid? Jonny explains the process.

30:59 – Visualizing the track before actually getting on the sled, Jonny and Brittney talk about the importance of this step, and why you see athletes doing it.

32:35 – What’s happening next for these athletes and they prepare and try to qualify for the Olympic team.