Nordic combined has been part of the program at every Winter Olympic Games since Chamonix 1924. The IOC's decision to exclude it from the 2030 French Alps Games has therefore come as a shock. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) had reiterated its confidence in the sport in recent months, highlighting the progress made in various areas. However, this was not enough to convince the rest of the Olympic Movement.
At the back of the class
The IOC issued a serious warning after the 2022 Olympics. It scrutinized Nordic combined (and all other sports) using 14 indicators: television audiences, social media, ticket sales, public interest, etc. The IOC's verdict is unequivocal. According to most popularity indicators, Nordic combined ranked last among all disciplines " also in Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018, Beijing 2022 and Milan-Cortina 2026. In Italy, the combined " It ranked last in 11 of the 14 popularity indicators assessed. Furthermore, this discipline still faces obstacles in terms of universality and participation in the Olympic Games. "In particular, the ultra-dominance of a few nations – only five NOCs have won medals in the last four Olympics.
Arguments that the FIS finds difficult to accept. The decision made by the IOC is extremely disappointing.Lasse Ottesen responded. I'm at a loss for words; I struggle to understand the reasoning behind it. Nordic combined is at the heart of Nordic skiing and has been part of the Winter Olympics since 1924. That's why today's decision is so difficult to accept and even harder to understand. "The newly appointed FIS president, Alexander Ospelt, also expressed his disappointment: This is a very difficult decision for the FIS and for our national federations. Nordic combined has been part of the Winter Olympic Games since their very first edition in 1924, and constitutes a pillar of Nordic skiing at all levels, particularly in terms of athlete training. »
"We will continue and we will return."
The FIS has invested resources, through the Nordic Combined Development Fund, to enhance its profile and raise the overall level of competition. It has particularly pushed to accelerate progress in women's skiing, and next year, for the first time, there will be as many men's events as women's events at the World Championships. The FIS has introduced a more compact World Cup format to align with current expectations. It has also seen spectacular growth on social media with " an audience of over 80 million people last season, representing a 262% increase compared to the previous year " and a number of interactions almost doubled.
The FIS assures that it will continue to fully support its athletes. Our journey doesn't end here; we will continue to grow, to fight, and we will return. "Ottesen promises. The fact that Nordic combined is not included in the 2030 Games program does not change our support for this discipline, which is an integral part of the FIS World Cup calendar and the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. On the contrary, it is an additional reason for us to support it even more strongly. " adds Secretary General Urs Lehmann.
In Germany, one of the countries most committed to maintaining the combined event, DOSB president Thomas Weikert expressed his disappointment for the athletes who, for years, have worked with exemplary discipline, passion, and dedication to achieve their Olympic dream and who must now accept this decision. At the same time, it must be recognized that the IOC needs to adapt the Olympic program to ensure the Games' sustainability. It is therefore all the more important today to collaborate with all stakeholders to create new opportunities for Nordic combined and secure its long-term sporting future. »
Alexander Ospelt is already thinking about 2034: Having taken note of the IOC's new methodology for the Olympic program, the path forward for the FIS is clear: we will take into account the challenges raised by the IOC, we will do everything in our power to overcome them and we will work tirelessly to ensure that Nordic combined returns to the Winter Olympic Games in 2034. "The IOC confirmed that comments regarding the 14 popularity indicators taken into account have been communicated to all IFs so that they can work on them."
