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Nathalie Armbruster Blasts IOC Over 2026 Olympic Exclusion of Women’s Nordic Combined

The IOC deems the discipline too young, promising a review after Milan-Cortina.

Overview

  • The 19-year-old overall World Cup winner called barring women from Cortina a “No-Go” and “unfair” in interviews with BR24Sport.
  • The IOC decided in 2022 that only men will compete in Nordic combined at the 2026 Games, extending a men-only Olympic run that dates to 1924.
  • IOC officials plan to collect data during the 2026 Olympics before ruling on the sport’s Olympic status for 2030, saying they expect significant development.
  • Athletes warn the exclusion and uncertainty could undermine funding, World Cup scheduling, national federation support, and youth development.
  • Since 2020 the FIS has shortened distances, tightened fields, and added a mixed relay to strengthen the women’s field, as leading men such as Johannes Rydzek voice public support.