The Winter Games could soon get a new facelift. According to one of its officials, the United States Ski and Snowboard Federation (USSA) is currently campaigning for the introduction of two new disciplines into the Olympic program: "Big Air" and team snowboard cross. American leaders have prepared a comprehensive dossier. They plan to submit it to the International Ski Federation (FIS) late next week at its meeting in Barcelona, ​​Spain. In the event of a favorable response, the American proposal could then land on the IOC offices in Lausanne.

Jeremy Foster, the director of freestyle skiing and snowboarding at the American Federation, explained this to Associated Press:  “Our goal is to push the most modern and relevant disciplines of skiing and snowboarding. » After the debut at the Sochi Slopestyle Games, where the United States won all the gold medals, “Big Air” and team snowboard cross could further expand the program. According to Jeremy Foster, the American proposal would have the support of the Australians, Brazilians and New Zealanders.

“Big Air,” a snowboarding discipline featured at the In addition to attracting a young audience, it has the advantage of being able to be contested on the plains. The American Federation, very advanced in its project, proposes to install the competition site in the stadium used at the Winter Games for the opening and closing ceremonies. A new way, according to her, to bring a snow discipline to a public more interested in skating and hockey events.

Team snowboarding is inspired, for its part, by the regulations put in place for relay luge, introduced at the Sochi Games in the Olympic program. In each team, the arrival of a competitor at the bottom of the track automatically triggers the opening of the starting gate for their next teammate.

The IOC makes no secret of it: any desire to rejuvenate the Games, and by extension their audience, will be welcome. It remains to be seen whether he will agree indefinitely to make the fortnight's schedule heavier.