PARIS — Talks to grant cross-country running and cyclocross Olympic status in the Winter Games have commenced, according to World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, who made the announcement at the Paris Summer Games.
The two events could potentially share a racing course, offering African nations, which excel in cross-country, a pathway into winter sports.
“It really does provide Africa with the opportunity to become a significant part of the Olympic Games,” stated Coe during a news conference on the first day of track and field events in Paris.
Olympic hosts now have the option to propose additional events, and the 2030 Winter Games will be held in the French Alps, followed by the 2034 edition in Salt Lake City.
Coe disclosed that “preliminary discussions” have begun with the United States Olympic body and organizing officials from Utah.
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With only 116 medal events at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Games, there is room in the program for future editions, despite the barriers posed by the International Olympic Committee’s rules.
“Only sports practiced on snow or ice are considered as winter sports,” states the IOC’s Olympic Charter.
Cross-country and cyclocross are traditionally raced on muddy and hilly courses, making them suitable winter options for runners and riders. Mathieu van der Poel, the current men’s world champion in cyclocross, is also a prominent figure in road cycling and won the 2023 worlds gold medal.
Any formal proposal to include the two new events in the Winter Olympics would have influential support within the IOC.
Coe mentioned that he is collaborating with International Cycling Union president David Lappartient, his fellow IOC member who also leads the French Olympic body and influenced its 2030 candidacy. Lappartient is considered a close ally of Thomas Bach, the IOC’s hands-on president.
“David is very enthusiastic,” said Coe, adding “there is a lot of goodwill” towards reinstating cross-country to Olympic status over a century after its appearance at the 1924 Summer Games in Paris.
“Its natural place is in the winter,” Coe remarked.
The IOC reiterated on Thursday that the events program for the 2030 Olympics should be finalized by the end of 2027.
The IOC did not respond to inquiries regarding whether it is presently considering a proposal to include cross-country and cyclocross.
