Nordic combined dropped from Winter Olympics program

Nordic combined, a traditional sport in the Winter Olympics, will be removed from the program starting with the 2030 Games in France, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Tuesday.

The decision marks a significant shift for the sport, which has been a staple of the Winter Olympics since the inaugural Chamonix Games in 1924. In its place, freestyle skiing and mixed synchronized skating will be introduced as new disciplines.

A key factor in the IOC's decision was the push for gender parity in the Olympic program. Nordic combined was the only Winter Olympic sport that exclusively featured male athletes. The French Games in 2030 are highlighted as the first to achieve gender equality in competition.

For Finland, Nordic combined has been a source of considerable success. At the recent Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the sport accounted for half of Finland's medal haul. Both Ilkka Herola and Eero Hirvonen secured individual bronze medals and a team silver.

The IOC's announcement signifies a move towards modernizing the Winter Olympic program and aligning it with contemporary values of inclusivity and gender equality.