IOC Adds Two Freeride Events and Synchronized Skating but Drops Nordic Combined for 2030

The International Olympic Committee announced on July 7 that freeride skiing and freeride snowboarding along with synchronized skating will join the program for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps. Nordic combined will be dropped from the schedule. The Games will feature 3,046 athletes across 126 events and will achieve gender parity for the first time.

Ski mountaineering, which debuted at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics, was confirmed for 2030. Snowboard parallel giant slalom is retained on the program. Nordic combined has been part of the Winter Olympics since the Chamonix 1924 Games and was the only discipline restricted to men.

The IOC had declined a bid to add a women's event at Milano-Cortina 2026, citing limited international interest. The International Ski Federation said it was disappointed by the removal and noted the discipline's growth since women's competitions were introduced. The federation said it would push for Nordic combined's return in the 2034 Winter Olympics.

On the same day the IOC lifted restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to compete in team events and qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The ban on Russia's anthem and flag remains in place, and returning athletes must pass multiple doping tests.

The ban on Russian athletes was imposed in October 2023 after the Russian Olympic Committee moved to include sports bodies in annexed Ukrainian territories.

Belarus was readmitted to the Olympics in May without restrictions. Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev stated on Telegram that the IOC is sending a clear signal that the Olympic movement must remain free from politics and that Russia would take part in LA 2028 qualifiers.

The IOC said it would decide on flag and anthem use at the 2028 Games at the appropriate time and stated it would closely monitor the situation regarding Russian participation.