Bhubaneswar: The debate over the future of the Winter Olympics has taken a sharp turn, as winter sports officials voiced strong opposition to proposals suggesting that traditionally summer sports could be added to future Winter Games.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recently formed working groups as part of its ‘Fit For The Future’ consultation under new president Kirsty Coventry. One of the proposals being reviewed involves including events such as cross-country running or cyclo-cross — sports typically featured in warm-weather competition — into the Winter Olympic schedule.
But the idea is not sitting well with winter sports governing bodies.
Colin Grahamslaw, secretary general of the Winter Olympic Federations, told BBC Sport that allowing non-snow and non-ice events into the Winter Games risks damaging the event’s identity.
“We think the Winter Games has a really good strong visual identity of snow and ice. And we think that is unique and worth preserving,” he said.
Grahamslaw added that introducing sports that may technically take place in winter — but not on winter surfaces — could fundamentally change how people perceive the event.
” By bringing in some summer sports that maybe happen in the winter but not on snow and ice, you dilute that brand. You dilute that identity. And it’s not visually very different from what you see at the Summer Games.”
The Winter Olympic Federations represent the major cold-weather sports organisations — including biathlon, bobsleigh, skeleton, ice hockey, luge, skating, ski and snowboard, and curling. These bodies say that if the IOC wants more sports to keep the Games exciting, the additions should come from within the existing winter sports ecosystem.
“If there’s capacity within the Winter Games for more sports, more action, more dynamics, then we can provide that from within the snow and ice community,” Grahamslaw added.
A key example of winter-based innovation is already underway: ski mountaineering will debut at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, bringing a new high-adrenaline discipline to the competition.
Even existing sports have evolved to remain modern and engaging. Grahamslaw pointed out the rise of three-on-three ice hockey, a shorter and faster format gaining popularity — proving that winter sports can innovate without changing their core identity.
The debate comes against the backdrop of environmental pressures. In 2023, the IOC revealed research suggesting that only 10 countries will be able to host snow-based winter events by 2040, due to the impact of climate change. This has led to calls for flexibility and rethinking the Winter Games model.
However, winter sports federations argue that the solution lies in climate adaptation — not changing the definition of what a Winter Olympic sport is. The Olympic Charter currently states that only sports performed on snow or ice may be considered winter sports.
For now, the IOC has not issued a response to the concerns raised — but the discussion signals that as the Winter Olympics evolves, its identity may become one of its biggest battlegrounds.
One thing is certain: the question of what defines a “winter sport” is no longer just about competition — it’s about preserving history, culture, and the visual soul of one of the world’s most iconic sporting events.
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