Winter Olympics: Proposals to include summer sports would ‘dilute’ games according to Winter Olympics secretary

Proposals to include summer sports in the Winter Olympics would “weaken” the Games, according to the body that represents existing disciplines.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has established working groups to review aspects of both the Summer and Winter Games as part of its “Fit for the Future” programme., external Consultation under new chair Kirsty Coventry.

The President of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Lord Coe, had previously indicated the possibility of adding cross-country running and cyclo-cross to the Winter Olympics programme.

However, Winter Olympic Federation Secretary General Colin Grahamslough told BBC Sport that there were reservations about introducing sports deemed to be summer sports “visually”.

“We think the Winter Games have a good, strong visual identity of snow and ice. We think that’s unique and worth preserving,” Grahamslaw said.

“I think the concerns are, by bringing in some summer sports that maybe happen in the winter but not on snow and ice, you dilute that brand.

“You’re diluting that identity. And it’s not that much different visually from what you can see at the Summer Games.”

BBC Sport has contacted the International Olympic Committee for comment.

The Charter of the Olympic Games currently states that “only sports played on snow or ice shall be considered winter sports.”

In 2023, the IOC said research showed only 10 countries would be able to host snow sports by 2040 due to the impact of climate change, and accepted “the need to adapt to the Winter Olympics”.

Grahamslough, who is also secretary of the World Curling Federation, said that if the IOC wanted to increase the number of sports in the Winter Olympics, the Winter Olympic federations should be consulted.

The Winter Olympic Association collectively represents the governing bodies for biathlon, bobsleigh, skeleton, ice hockey, luge, skiing, figure skating and curling.

The Briton added: “If there is capacity within the Winter Games for more athleticism, more movement, more dynamics, then we can provide that from within the snow and ice community.”

“You will see mountaineering for the first time at Milan Cortina 2026, as part of the Winter Olympics. It is a new, dynamic sport that I think people can enjoy.

“If you look at ice hockey, they have a shortened version of three-on-three.”

The Winter Olympic Federation said in a statement earlier this week that it is “fully committed” to “innovation, universality and enhancing the special and clearly differentiated appeal” of the Winter Olympic Games.

However, they said the Games are “not better served by piecemeal proposals” such as the inclusion of summer majors.