Overview
- Winter Olympic Federations said bringing summer or indoor disciplines into the Winter Games would dilute the event’s identity built on sports practiced on snow and ice.
- Kyodo reported the IOC is seriously considering shifting some sports between Summer and Winter as part of a cost and programme review under president Kirsty Coventry, though no decisions have been made.
- The Olympic Charter currently limits Winter Games to sports on snow or ice, so adding cyclocross or cross-country running would require amending the rules.
- Ivo Ferriani, who represents winter sports on the IOC executive board, urged innovation within existing winter disciplines and cited ski mountaineering’s 2026 debut as the model.
- An IOC timetable reported by multiple outlets points to a decision on the 2030 programme before the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, after which proponents and opponents expect greater clarity.