FIS MEDIA INFO: Ski Cross accepted into the Olympics

Oberhofen, 29th November, 2006/ -- Meeting in Kuwait City, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday reviewed the recommendations of the IOC Program Commission regarding the Olympic program. It decided to maintain the events included for the first time in Turin, including team sprint in Cross-Country Skiing and snowboardcross. In addition, the IOC EB decided to extend the program of the Olympic Winter Games to include the ladies' and men's ski cross as had been proposed by FIS following the decision the 45th International Ski Congress in Vilamoura (POR) in May.

“We are very pleased about the decision of the IOC to include ski cross already in 2010,” commented FIS President Gian Franco Kasper. “The growth of ski cross has been phenomenal especially among the youngsters. Since its introduction in the 2002/03 season, 31 nations have participated in the ladies' and men's ski cross World Cup competitions and the first FIS World Championships in ski cross at Ruka (FIN) in 2005 were a great success. We are already looking forward to the next FIS World Championships in ski cross to be held in Madonna di Campiglio (ITA) in January 2007 and Inawashiro (JPN) in 2009.”

The 45th International Ski Congress also decided to request the consideration of the ladies' Ski Jumping, and the nations' team event in Alpine Skiing for inclusion on the program of the Olympic Winter Games in 2010. But the IOC EB decided not to include the nations' team event arguing that “it would only allow the same athletes already participating in an individual event to take part in another event and win more medals.” In the case of ladies´ Ski Jumping, the IOC's decision was made on the grounds that its “development is still in the early stage thus lacking the international spread of participation and technical standard required for an event to be included in the program.” However the EB noted that it would be closely following the development of the ladies´ Ski Jumping with a view of its inclusion in future Olympic Games. FIS President Gian Franco Kasper added: “We are convinced that by the next IOC review, ladies' Ski Jumping and the nations' team event in Alpine Skiing will also meet the IOC's criteria for inclusion. Especially since the first FIS World Championships in ladies' Ski Jumping on the normal hill will be staged as soon as in Liberec (CZE) in 2009.”

 PDF version