Other sporting federations could give the thumbs-up to cyclo-cross and cross-country running for participation in the 2030 Games if their governing bodies don’t seek remuneration for it, according to reports in Belgian media.
The multiple world governing bodies of the Winter Olympic Federations group, including those presiding over skating, skiing and biathlon, had already voiced objections to the inclusion of the new sports, on the grounds that they lacked the requisite ‘snow and ice’ ingredients.
“The Winter Olympic Federations are firm in our belief that such an approach would dilute the brand, heritage, and identity that make the Olympic Winter Games unique — a celebration of sports practiced on snow and ice, with distinct culture, athletes, and fields of play,” said the group of sports, which include skiing, skating, biathlon, curling, luge, bobsled and skeleton.
IOC member Lord Coe, who is a supporter of introducing the two new sports along with UCI president David Lappartient, said back in October that “there’s a good chance it’ll happen. And I think it’s come at the right moment, because [IOC president] Kirsty Coventry is certainly prepared to think differently about the programme….”
Great Britain national cyclo-cross coach Matt Ellis told Cycling Weekly at the time: “From a GB perspective it’s massively exciting – It would, I believe, dramatically change everything.”
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