Russia's Alexander Shakhnazarov has been awarded a Ring of Honour by the International Luge Federation ©FIL

Russia's Alexander Shakhnazarov has been awarded a Ring of Honour by the International Luge Federation (FIL).

He received the award from FIL President  Josef Fendt during his visit to Moscow.

Shakhnazarov was head of the planning group  Lomonosov Moscow State University where, together with his colleague Alexander Ostroumonov, he played a vital role in the design and construction of the artificial ice track in Paramonovo.

The track is located 80 kilometres outside Moscow and was Russia's first artificial ice track before the construction of the venue built in Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the artificial ice track in Paramonovo ©Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin has visited the artificial ice track in Paramonovo ©Kremlin

Work started on the track in February 2007 and was completed 10 months later at the cost of $45 million (£32 million/€39 million).

It was officially opened in March 2008. 

The track has 19 curves with an elevation difference of 105 meters.

Due to the natural elevation difference of only 78m, the first 300m of the track are mounted on steel pillars up to 27m high.