Winter Olympics 2030 adds synchro skating, freeride; drops Nordic combined

The International Olympic Committee's executive board has approved synchronized figure skating and freeride skiing for the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, according to the Bozeman Daily Chronicle and Greenwich Time. The decision marks a shift toward gender parity and sports with broader modern appeal. Nordic combined, which has featured in every Winter Olympics since 1924, has been dropped from the roster.

The IOC had the option to add women's and team events to Nordic combined but instead chose to eliminate the discipline entirely. According to Greenwich Time, Nordic combined has struggled to find a modern audience despite its 102-year Olympic history. Synchro skating and freeride skiing, by contrast, are expected to draw younger audiences and expand the Games' gender balance.