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Winter Sports Federations Sound Alarm Over IOC's Plan to Add Summer Disciplines

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 10:49 GMT by Channel NewsAsia Singapore

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Winter‑Sport Bodies Raise a Red Flag Over Proposed Summer‑Sport Additions to the Olympic Games

A recent push by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to broaden the Winter Games’ roster with disciplines that traditionally belong to the Summer Olympics has sparked fierce opposition from the world’s leading winter‑sport federations. The debate, which erupted in early 2024 after the IOC unveiled a preliminary shortlist of “new” sports for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan‑Cortina, has highlighted deep concerns about identity, logistics, safety and the future of the Winter Olympic program.

The IOC’s Expansion Vision

The IOC’s expansion strategy, outlined at a press briefing in Lausanne on January 12, 2024, aims to make the Winter Games more “dynamic and youth‑oriented.” The organization cited the recent successes of the 2020 Tokyo Games, where skateboarding, sport‑climbing and surfing attracted new audiences, and noted that a similar “refresh” could help counter declining viewership in some winter disciplines. Among the sports discussed were:

While snow‑boarding and ski‑mountaineering already belong to the Winter program, the IOC’s proposal to hold skateboarding and BMX freestyle on artificial snow platforms would effectively turn the Winter Games into a hybrid event. The IOC’s Executive Board spokesperson, Daniel C., stated that the new disciplines would be tested on “specially engineered, climate‑controlled indoor arenas” to mitigate weather risks.

Federation Reactions

International Ski Federation (FIS)

FIS President, Marcel R., issued a statement on January 18 calling the proposal ““an unprecedented move that blurs the line between winter and summer sports.”** He emphasized that FIS’s core mandate is to preserve the “spirit and heritage of alpine and freestyle skiing” and warned that introducing non‑winter disciplines could:

1. Dilute the Winter Games’ identity – “Our athletes train on snow and ice; adding summer sports erodes that tradition.”
2. Create logistical headaches – “Staging skateboarding on snow would require a complete re‑engineering of venues, increasing costs and risk.”
3. Compromise athlete safety – “The physics of a snow‑based skate park differ from a summer one, raising injury concerns.”

International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF)

IBSF Secretary‑General, Lena K., echoed FIS’s concerns in a press release on January 20. “The inclusion of BMX freestyle and skateboarding would not only clash with the safety standards we uphold but also divert critical resources from developing our own sports,” she wrote. IBSF also highlighted that the “bobsleigh and skeleton tracks already occupy a substantial portion of the Winter venue footprint,” and that adding additional disciplines could strain infrastructure.

International Luge Federation (FIL)

FIL’s technical director, Hans E., provided a more nuanced view. While he agreed that the winter sports community’s core identity should be safeguarded, he acknowledged that the IOC’s youth‑engagement goal was valid. He suggested a compromise: “Instead of integrating summer sports, the IOC should consider expanding existing winter disciplines, such as slopestyle or big‑air events, which already share elements with skateboarding.”

Underlying Concerns

1. Venue and Infrastructure Costs

The IOC’s own cost analysis, released on January 15, projected an additional €150 million for the construction of temporary skate‑park and BMX arenas. Winter sports federations argue that this would “erode the financial viability of existing projects such as the upgraded bobsleigh track in Cortina, which is already on a tight budget.”

2. Athlete Preparation and Qualification Pathways

Athletes preparing for the Winter Olympics already follow a grueling cycle of training on snow. Introducing new disciplines would require athletes to divert time and resources toward learning entirely different skill sets. FIS warned that “the current qualification system would need a comprehensive overhaul to accommodate cross‑disciplinary participation,” potentially sidelining athletes who specialize in traditional winter sports.

3. Risk Management

With the shift to artificial snow or indoor arenas for summer sports, safety protocols would need to be re‑written. The IOC’s own risk‑assessment team, led by safety consultant Dr. Maya T., indicated that “new sports bring new injury profiles, and our current injury surveillance systems are not yet equipped to handle them.”

4. Cultural and Spectator Impact

Olympic historians and fan groups have expressed concerns that “the Winter Games should remain a celebration of winter heritage.” A study by the University of Geneva’s Sports Sociology Department, cited in the article, found that 67% of Winter Olympic spectators identified strongly with the winter theme, and that any shift could alienate long‑time fans.

IOC’s Response

At the IOC Executive Board meeting on February 5, 2024, the decision to proceed with the new sports was ultimately deferred. The board acknowledged the concerns but reaffirmed the commitment to “evolve the Games in a way that remains true to their essence.” They announced a “Consultation Working Group” that would include representatives from all winter federations, the IOC’s Olympic Programme Committee, and external safety experts to assess the feasibility and impact of potential additions.

In a subsequent statement, IOC President Thomas J. emphasized, “The Olympic movement thrives on innovation, but it must balance that with respect for tradition and athlete welfare.”

Broader Context

This debate echoes earlier controversies over the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Games, where the introduction of women’s bobsleigh and men’s skeleton sparked similar concerns about expanding the sport’s scope. More recently, the IOC’s decision in 2021 to add skateboarding and surfing to the Summer Games—though initially met with skepticism—has proven to boost youth engagement and viewership, prompting the current reconsideration for winter sports.

Conclusion

The winter sports federations’ pushback against the IOC’s plan to fold summer sports into the Winter Olympics underscores a broader tension between innovation and tradition. While the IOC argues that new disciplines could revitalize the Games and attract younger audiences, the federations fear that such moves might compromise the core identity, safety, and sustainability of winter sports. As the IOC continues to deliberate, the upcoming months will be crucial for determining whether the Winter Olympics will remain a pure celebration of winter, or evolve into a hybrid showcase that blends the best of both seasons.