Nordic Combined Dropped from 2030 Winter Olympics

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has removed Nordic Combined from the 2030 Winter Olympics program, ending the sport's century-long Olympic presence. The decision, made in Geneva, reflects the IOC's focus on modernizing the Games by prioritizing events with higher global popularity and audience engagement. Nordic Combined, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing, has consistently ranked low in viewer interest and participation. The 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps will instead introduce new events like alpine freestyle skiing and team figure skating. Die Welt+2

🏅 Historic Olympic Exit

Nordic Combined, one of the oldest Winter Olympic sports, has been contested since the inaugural 1924 Games. Japan had been a dominant force, winning back-to-back team golds in the 1990s. The exclusion marks the first time the event will not feature in over 100 years of Winter Olympics history. The IOC emphasized the need to streamline the program and adapt to changing viewer preferences. China.org+1

🎿 Athlete Reactions

Former Olympic gold medalist Kenji Ogiwara, now mayor of Nagano, expressed disappointment over the decision. He highlighted the sport's legacy and called for efforts to reinstate it by the 2034 Games. Ogiwara also discussed local proposals to host another Winter Olympics in Nagano, where Nordic Combined has strong historical ties. Asahi Shimbun+1

🔄 Program Modernization

The 2030 Winter Olympics will feature 126 medal events with improved gender balance. New additions include freeride skiing and synchronized figure skating, while snowboard parallel giant slalom was retained. The IOC stated these changes aim to appeal to younger audiences and reflect evolving winter sports trends. Nordic Combined's removal follows similar exclusions of less popular events in past Olympic cycles. China.org+2

🌍 Global Impact

The decision particularly affects nations like Japan and Norway, where Nordic Combined has deep cultural roots. The IOC acknowledged the sport's historical significance but maintained that global appeal and participation metrics guided their choice. The French Alps organizers will now focus on integrating the new events into the 2030 Games schedule. Tagesschau.de+2