The 52-year-old Italian will play a key role as China prepares to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.

China does not currently boast luge pedigree but the country is working to improve its stature in winter sports they do not traditionally excel in.

The aim is to become competitive in time for their home Games in the capital.

Huber previously had a coaching role with the Italian team.

Alongside partner Hans Jörg Raffl, he holds the record for the most doubles wins on the International Luge Federation World Cup circuit, with 26.

The duo won the doubles World Cup crown eight times, as well as the world title in Calgary in 1990.

Both were also members of the Italian mixed-team line up which won World Championship gold in Winterberg in 1989.

In addition, they won two Olympic medals in doubles - silver at Lillehammer 1994 and bronze at Albertville 1992.

Huber also won the World Cup title twice in singles, as well as three European golds.

In China he will work below head coach Wolfgang Schädler, a former luge competitor for Liechtenstein.

Huber's brothers Günther, Willy and Arnold have also won medals in luge and bobsleigh.