Park City, Utah (June 24, 2022) – A Women’s Ski Jumping Large Hill event has been added to the Winter Olympic Games for Milano Cortina 2026, while the decision to add Women’s Nordic Combined has been postponed.
The sports and event program of the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 will include a record number of women’s events and be the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games edition to date, with 47 percent female participation.
After the Women’s Ski Jumping Normal Hill event was added to the Winter Olympic Games in 2014, along with the Mixed Team event being added in 2022, USA Nordic is ecstatic to hear that our Women’s Ski Jumping athletes will compete in the Large Hill event at Milano Cortina 2026.
“It is extremely exciting to have the Large Hill event added for the sport and to close the gap on gender equality in Ski Jumping, as well as add another medal event for the women,” said Interim Chief Operating Officer Blake Hughes.
“I’m so excited women are finally allowed to compete on the Large Hill in the Olympics. We have been fighting for equal events in the Olympics for a long time and it is relieving to see that people are listening to us,” said USA Nordic athlete Anna Hoffmann. “It is a great beginning step to change some of the gender inequalities in our sport. There is a lot more work to be done for equality, but this is a huge advance for us on the largest stage of competition. I can’t wait to see how this helps to change the sport for the good.”
While this is a large success for our sport, it is challenging and disappointing that our sister sport of Women’s Nordic Combined has not been added to the Olympics,” Hoffmann continued. “It’s great to celebrate our win today, but it’s important to keep in mind that this fight for equality is not done.”
The decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to add Women’s Nordic Combined will be revisited prior to the Winter Olympic Games in 2030. The decisive argument for keeping Nordic Combined on the Olympic program for Milano Cortina 2026 was the situation of the male athletes, for whom the Olympic Games are only three-and-a-half years away and who have already been preparing for these Games for many years. The inclusion of Nordic Combined in the Olympic Winter Games 2030 depends on a significant positive development, particularly with regard to participation and audience.
We at USA Nordic Sport are heavily disappointed in the IOC’s decision to postpone the decision of adding Women’s Nordic Combined to the Winter Olympic Games, yet again. USA Nordic will continue to advocate and support Women’s Nordic Combined being added to the Winter Olympic Games in 2030, as we will continue to push for gender equality. USA Nordic asks our friends, fans, athletes and supporters to continue joining us in the fight in supporting the sport of Nordic Combined being included in 2030, as well as Women’s Nordic Combined being added.
“It is disappointing to hear the IOC’s decision to not include Women’s Nordic Combined in the 2026 program,” said Interim Chief Operating Officer Blake Hughes. “This decision has only fueled our fire further to develop the sport, and prove that Women’s Nordic Combined must be included in 2030.”
“Right now, I’m disappointed by the IOC’s decision, specifically when they are talking about gender equality at the Olympics,” said Women’s Nordic Combined Head Coach Tomas Matura. “We will show the IOC this season and following seasons that Women’s Nordic Combined belongs in the Olympics.”
“Today, I got the worst, most unbearable news that anyone could get. For the women that put everything into this sport and make the sacrifices that we do, we are very disappointed in the IOC’s decision to not add Women’s Nordic Combined to Milano Cortina 2026,” said USA Nordic athlete Annika Malacinski. “While in the same breath stating that this will be the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games to date while not adding Women’s Nordic Combined, is truly disappointing. We are hearing your message loud and clear, and the fight has just begun.”
Click here to read the full press release from the International Olympic Committee.
1 Comment
So very disappointing. What’s it going to take!?!