The International Olympic Committee faces a crucial decision regarding one of the oldest winter disciplines. As the Milan Cortina 2026 Games conclude, the future of Nordic combined hangs in the balance. This historic event, which combines ski jumping and cross-country skiing, has been part of the Winter Olympics since its inception in 1924. However, declining viewership numbers and a striking lack of competitive diversity threaten its survival beyond the next edition scheduled for France.
The sport’s potential removal reflects broader concerns about Olympic programming efficiency and global appeal. With Norway dominating all three events at this year’s competition, questions arise about whether such concentrated success serves the Olympic mission. The IOC evaluates every discipline based on multiple criteria, including audience engagement, cost effectiveness, and representation across nations.
Why Nordic combined faces potential elimination from Winter Olympics
Television ratings tell a sobering story for this traditional winter discipline. Small viewing audiences have plagued Nordic combined events for years, making it difficult to justify the logistical investment required. The IOC examines these metrics carefully when determining which sports deserve continued inclusion. Broadcasting partners, who pay substantial fees for Olympic rights, naturally prefer events that attract significant viewership.
The dominance by a handful of nations compounds the problem. In recent Olympic cycles, only Norway, Austria, Germany, and Japan have claimed medals in this event. At Milan Cortina, Norwegian athletes swept all three gold medals, while Finland managed two individual bronze positions and one team silver. Germany and Japan, despite strong showings in preliminary rounds, failed to reach the podium entirely.
This concentration of success raises fundamental questions about competitive balance and global participation. Olympic sports ideally showcase worldwide talent and provide opportunities for diverse nations to excel. When podium positions remain locked within four countries across multiple Olympic cycles, the event loses its universal appeal. The IOC considers such patterns when evaluating whether a sport truly embodies Olympic values.
The discipline’s origins date back approximately 150 years to Norway, where a crown prince combined two activities he personally excelled at. This historical context adds emotional weight to removal discussions, yet tradition alone cannot guarantee Olympic inclusion. The IOC must balance heritage with contemporary demands for engaging, accessible competitions that resonate with modern audiences.
Understanding the competition format and scoring system
The event structure involves two distinct phases that test different athletic capabilities. Athletes first launch themselves from either a normal hill or large hill, depending on the specific competition. Judges award points based on distance achieved and stylistic execution during flight. These scores determine starting positions for the subsequent cross-country portion.
The top-scoring jumper earns the privilege of beginning the skiing segment first, with competitors starting at intervals calculated from their jumping performance. This staggered start system creates tactical drama, as athletes must balance pacing with the knowledge that rivals are chasing behind. The 10km cross-country race demands exceptional endurance and technique across snow-covered terrain.
| Component | Distance/Duration | Scoring Method |
|---|---|---|
| Ski jumping | Normal or large hill | Points for distance and style |
| Cross-country skiing | 10 kilometers | Timed race with staggered starts |
| Final result | Combined phases | First to finish skiing wins |
Athletes carry only their skis and poles during the cross-country segment, relying entirely on physical conditioning and tactical awareness. The format rewards versatility, requiring competitors to excel at both explosive power for jumping and sustained aerobic capacity for distance skiing. This dual demand creates unique training challenges that few athletes worldwide pursue seriously.
Gender exclusivity and future Olympic hosting plans
Nordic combined remains the only winter Olympic sport that excludes female participants. This gender gap presents another significant problem for IOC decision-makers committed to equality and inclusivity. Female athletes who compete on the World Cup circuit and at world championships have actively campaigned for Olympic recognition, yet their efforts have not yielded results.
The IOC’s evaluation criteria increasingly emphasize gender balance across all events. Modern Olympic programming aims to provide equal opportunities for male and female athletes. The continued exclusion of women from Nordic combined undermines this objective and provides additional justification for potential removal. Adding a women’s division would require expanded resources and scheduling, further complicating the sport’s Olympic future.
Parallel giant slalom snowboarding also faces scrutiny during this review process. The IOC wants every included sport to meet specific standards regarding youth appeal, financial efficiency, and competitive balance. These evaluations reflect a strategic shift toward programming that resonates with younger demographics and streaming audiences rather than traditional television viewers.
France will host the 2030 Winter Games, marking the nation’s fourth time organizing this global event. The competition returns to French soil for the first time since Albertville 1992, with activities scheduled from February 1 through February 17, 2030. Paralympic competitions will follow from March 1 to March 10. The master plan focuses on four regional clusters :
- Haute Savoie venues for alpine and freestyle events
- Savoie locations hosting sliding sports and ice competitions
- Briançon facilities for Nordic disciplines
- Nice accommodations providing coastal access and infrastructure
Whether Nordic combined will feature in these French Alps venues remains uncertain as the IOC continues its evaluation process through the coming months.
Financial considerations driving Olympic sport selection
Cost efficiency has become paramount in Olympic planning and execution. Organizing committees face enormous pressure to deliver successful games without generating crippling debt. Every sport included in the program requires specific venues, equipment, officials, and broadcast infrastructure. When an event attracts minimal viewership while demanding substantial investment, its value proposition weakens considerably.
Nordic combined necessitates two separate venue types : ski jumping facilities and cross-country courses. These installations require significant capital expenditure and ongoing maintenance. If television audiences remain small and medal distribution stays concentrated among few nations, justifying such costs becomes increasingly difficult. The IOC must consider long-term financial sustainability when shaping future Olympic programs.
The next decision cycle will determine whether this 102-year-old Olympic tradition continues or joins other discontinued sports in the historical archives. Athletes, fans, and particularly Norwegian supporters await the verdict with considerable anxiety about preserving this unique winter challenge.