Nordic Combined cut from Olympic Winter Games

Formally a permanent fixture at the Winter Olympics, Nordic Combined will not be part of the Alpes 2030 Games. The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced the decision after a meeting to decide the program for the next Winter Games. 

Four years ago, the IOC declined FIS’s application for the inclusion of Women’s Nordic Combined at Milano Cortina 2026 citing a lack of involved nations and interest outside of Europe. It also cast doubt on Nordic Combined’s presence at the 2030 Games, demanding “significant positive development, particularly with regard to participation and audience”.

After that disappointment, FIS redoubled its efforts to have women’s Nordic Combined added to the Olympic program, as well as keep ‘NoCo’ in the Games. Despite clearly demonstrating increased interest at all levels and diversity among its athletes, FIS has been unable to convince the IOC that the discipline should be part of the 2030 Winter Olympics.

“Today's decision by the IOC is extremely disappointing,” admitted Race Director Lasse Ottesen. “I am at a loss for words and struggle to understand the reasoning behind it.

“The dedication and hard work of our female and male athletes, the outstanding commitment of our organizers, and the tremendous support from our National Ski Associations over many years have been nothing short of remarkable, and I fully understand their disappointment today."

Nordic Combined has been at the heart of Nordic skiing and part of the Olympic Winter Games since 1924. That is why today's decision is so difficult to accept and even harder to understand, “ said Lasse Ottesen, Nordic Combined Race Director.

FIS President Alexander Ospelt called Nordic Combined "a discipline that has been observing clear and tangible growth and an ever-broader international participation over the last few years thanks to the inclusion of women’s competitions." He admitted, "This is a very hard decision for FIS and for our National Ski Associations."