Winter Olympic Federations Oppose Summer Sports At The Winter Olympic Games

The Winter Olympic Federations, which represents the many sports at the Winter Olympics (International Biathlon Union, International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation, International Ice Hockey Federation, International Luge Federation, International Skating Union, International Ski and Snowboard Federation, World Curling Federation), released a statement coming out against a potential plan to integrate the Summer Olympic International Federation’s non-Olympic disciplines into the Winter Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee recently announced four new working groups as part of the “Fit For The Future” plan. The four groups include the YOG Working Group, the Olympic Program Working Group, the Protection of the Female Category Working Group, and the Commercial Partnerships and Marketing Working Group.

The Olympic Program Working Group is designed to find a balance between the size of the Games, the relevance of the sports and disciplines, the integration of new sports and disciplines, and the potential addition or removal of sports from the program. They are also meant to consider a suggestion that traditional summer or winter sports could cross over.

The Winter Olympic Federations’ statement comes out in support of the Fit for the Future consultation process, specifically noting the International Olympic Committee’s efforts to continue to modernize the Games in order to engage new audiences. They do, however, specifically state that they do not support the concept of including Summer IF’s non-Olympic disciplines into the Olympic Winter Games.

“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.” – Winter Olympic Federations

“Innovation should focus on evolving existing winter sports to attract broader participation and audiences while enhancing the appeal of the Olympic Winter Games. A successful example of such evolution is the inclusion of Ski Mountaineering (ISMF), a discipline born from authentic winter environments and emblematic of the continued development of winter sports.” – Ivo Ferriani, President of the Winter Olympic Federations

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