The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has officially decided to discontinue the Nordic combined event at the 2030 Winter Olympic Games, which will take place in the French Alps. The decision was made following an IOC executive board meeting last Tuesday, marking the end of the legendary sport's involvement on the Olympic stage.
Nordic combined, which combines two technical disciplines—ski jumping and cross-country skiing—was deemed to no longer meet the popularity criteria set by the IOC. This policy effectively closes a long chapter in the historical tradition of this sport in the world's most prestigious winter sports event.
In contrast to the fate of Nordic combined, the parallel giant slalom snowboarding event has been retained. The IOC stated that the discipline demonstrated a significant increase in various viewer engagement indicators and popularity since the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
The decision immediately drew strong reactions, particularly from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The DOSB openly expressed deep disappointment over the removal of this sport rich in historical heritage, given its significance for athletes and supporting communities around the world.
