Nordic combined cut from 2030 Olympics program

Nordic combined skiing, a staple of the Winter Olympics since 1924, has been dropped from the program for the 2030 Games in the French Alps. The International Olympic Committee's decision came down to two options: either include women in the competition for the first time or remove the sport entirely. Women had never competed in Nordic combined at the Olympics during its 102-year history.

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I share the disappointment of the athletes who have worked for years with great discipline, passion, and sacrifice towards the realization of their Olympic dream and now have to live with this decision for the time being.

The IOC stated that Nordic combined ranked last in popularity among all disciplines at the 2014, 2018, 2022, and 2026 Winter Games. It also noted that only five nations had won medals in the sport over the past four Winter Olympics, indicating a lack of broad international participation.

In contrast, the parallel giant slalom for snowboarders, which was also under review, will remain in the program due to improvements in popularity metrics since the 2022 Beijing Games. New events set to debut in 2030 include Freeride (ski and snowboard) and Synchronized Skating.

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At the same time, we must recognize that the IOC must adapt the Olympic program to changing framework conditions in the interest of future-proof games.

The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) expressed disappointment. DOSB President Thomas Weikert acknowledged the athletes' dedication and dreams but recognized the IOC's need to adapt the Olympic program for future viability. Nathalie Armbruster, a top German competitor, had actively campaigned for the sport's inclusion of women.

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I would have been there vo