If successful, he would become the first Winter Olympian in history to achieve this feat.

Demchenko, 45, retired from the sport in 2014 after winning singles and mixed team bronze medals on home ice at that year's Sochi Olympics.

He has since enjoyed a successful tenure as head coach of the Russian team.

According to the TASS news agency, he is considering a return subject to passing medical tests.

"I'm thinking about returning to the sport," he said.

"I left the sledge after Sochi because of back problems.

"But over the past three years, I think I [have] recovered, and I have no pain [when] I train. 

"So why not try to go back at an eighth Olympic Games?"

He will have his work cut out to make a successful return, however, given the quality of those he has been coaching.

World silver medallist Roman Repilov finished top of the World Cup standings this season.

Fourth ranked Semen Pavlichenko was world champion in 2015 while Stepan Fedorov finished this season in eighth position.

Each country is usually allowed a maximum of three athletes in individual events based on World Cup performances.

Demchenko competed at his first Winter Olympics as part of the Unified Team at Albertville 1992.

He represented Russia at the next six editions, starting with Lillehammer 1994.

He also claimed an Olympic silver medal in the singles at Turin 2006.

Even if he is successful, Demchenko would still have a long way to go to overhaul the 10 Summer Olympics at which Canadian showjumper Ian Millar has participated in.