The Evolution (or Lack Thereof) of Winter Olympic Sports
While the Beijing Games showcased a monumental big air springboard, a symbol of modernity, the winter sports program itself has remained largely unchanged since the 1990s. Unlike the Summer Olympics,which saw the groundbreaking inclusion of sports like skateboarding adn surfing in Tokyo,winter sports have experienced only minor tweaks.
The introduction of slopestyle in Sochi 2014 and parallel slalom snowboarding (later discontinued) represent the extent of recent innovations. Experts like Kevin Bernardi, an Olympism specialist, attribute this stagnation to the limited scope for innovation within winter sports and a less pressing need for renewal compared to their summer counterparts.
“In Paris 2024, we’ll witness a paradigm shift with the integration of youth-driven sports,” Bernardi emphasizes. “Winter sports, however, offer fewer avenues for such radical change.”
A Familiar Landscape
Alain Mercier, director of the Francs Jeux website, observes that while the current program satisfies the International Olympic Committee (IOC), it may appear repetitive to European audiences.
“From a European perspective, it feels like déjà vu,” Mercier explains. “But the IOC is focused on expanding its reach in Asia and new skiing markets. The victories of Japanese snowboarder Ayumu Hirano and Chinese athletes Eileen Gu and Yiming su in Beijing highlight this shift in focus.”
Mercier contrasts this with the fleeting attention given to freestyle skiing and snowboarding medalists in Europe, where traditional disciplines like biathlon and alpine skiing continue to dominate the conversation.
Limited Contenders
Unlike the summer Olympics, where numerous sports vie for inclusion, the winter sports landscape sees fewer contenders.”The pool of winter sports is inherently smaller,” Mercier notes. “Established winter sports federations already have a foothold in the Olympics, eliminating the need to fight for recognition.”
The IOC’s focus on rejuvenation and gender equality further shapes the selection process. Beijing 2022 marked a milestone with the introduction of seven mixed or women’s events.
Early data suggests that freestyle skiing and snowboarding events, strategically scheduled to coincide with prime time in key markets like the United States and Asia, have attracted a younger audience.
Looking Ahead to 2030
While Telemark skiing failed to secure a spot, ski mountaineering, a contemporary take on ski touring, will debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. Ice climbing, however, remains under consideration.
The 2030 Winter Olympics, with Sapporo as the frontrunner, may offer the next chance for new additions.
Mercier speculates that the Japanese organizers might introduce a winter sport with an icy focus,potentially inspired by the success of three-a-side basketball in Tokyo.
Luc Tardif, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, has already begun advocating for the inclusion of three-a-side hockey, signaling a potential shift in the winter sports landscape.
