Overview
- The IOC has labeled Nordic combined “in question” and will weigh data from Milano Cortina before deciding its place at future Games, including assessments tied to French Alps 2030.
- Nordic combined is the only Winter Olympic discipline without a women’s event after proposals for Beijing 2022 and Milano Cortina 2026 were rejected.
- Participation has dropped to 36 men in 2026 from 55 in 2022, and Reuters observed the Tesero stadium was roughly half as full as for other cross-country events.
- FIS President Johan Eliasch cited rising fan engagement since 2024–25 and pledged to keep the sport on the Olympic program with a commitment that women will be included.
- Athletes including Annika Malacinski and Alexa Brabec continue advocacy and warn that Olympic exclusion could erode development pathways and funding for the discipline.