India is not known for its prowess in winter sports, but Shiva Keshavan - who will compete as an independent athlete - is the exception to the rule. He is a record-breaking luger who has won several medals and recently qualified for the forthcoming Sochi Winter Olympics.

With no tracks in India, Keshavan has to train on roads, weaving in and out of the traffic. But despite all his success, he will not be able to represent India. The Indian Olympic Association has been suspended from the International Olympic Committee because of corruption. So Shiva cannot represent his home country when he competes in Sochi.

Catherine Stancl reports from La Plagne in the French Alps.