IOC issue statement on Winter-Summer Olympics combined events after Seb Coe claim
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has issued a statement to SPORTbible following suggestions that events could soon cross over between the Summer and Winter Games.
Following the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games, the IOC and the Games’ organisers are already looking ahead to the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic Games, which will commence in 2028.
Five new sports – cricket, baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse and squash – have already been added to the list of disciplines for LA28, while a decision is yet to be made on the list of disciplines for the 2030 French Alps Winter Olympics.
However, seven sports – biathlon, bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, luge, skating and skiing – will be among the sports at the 2030 Winter Games, despite the full event programme being unconfirmed.
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According to the IOC, a decision will be made on “all disciplines and any additional sports” at the IOC Executive Board meeting in June 2026.
When contacted by SPORTbible for information about the decision-making process, an IOC spokesperson explained: “Only International Federations (IFs) officially recognised by the IOC are eligible for inclusion either in the initial sports programme or as additional sports proposed by an Organising Committee (OCOG) for their edition of the Olympic Games.
“A number of factors are taken into account when an IF applies for official recognition by the IOC. These include, but are not limited to: the development and global reach of the sport, governance structures and financial sustainability, the organisation of international competitions, athlete representation, safeguarding measures, and adherence to universality criteria. Only IFs that meet all the required criteria will be considered for official IOC recognition.”
Meanwhile, there have also been suggestions that some events could be contested in both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, with World Athletics chief Seb Coe predicting that some indoor events – including judo – could switch to the Winter Games.
In October 2025, Lord Coe, who sits on the IOC’s Olympic Programme Working Group, acknowledged that cross-country running and cyclocross have a good chance of being added to the 2030 Winter Games.
“I think there’s a good chance it’ll happen,” said Coe. “And I think it’s come at the right moment, because Kirsty is certainly prepared to think differently about the programme, and what could go out of the stadium, and that mix between winter and summer.”
He added: “I’ve always wanted to see cross-country back in for all sorts of reasons. Some are emotional. But it also gives Africa a proper presence in the Winter Games, which, if we are being honest, it doesn’t really have.”
SPORTbible also contacted the IOC for further information on potential crossover events, as well as potential additional sports.
The IOC replied: “The Olympic Programme Working Group, which has been set up for the Fit for the Future process, is currently focused on finalising the programme, including disciplines, events and quotas, for the French Alps 2030 Winter Games. This includes looking at the potential Summer-Winter crossover and at better understanding the opportunities and implications for the overall programme.
“A broader review of the entire sports programme of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Winter Games will follow in a second stage.”
Topics: Olympics
Luke Davies