Cross-country and cyclocross could be added to Winter Olympics by 2030

"But the willingness of the new IOC president, Kirsty Coventry, to explore new ways of doing things, and the support of the UCI president, David Lappartient, has left him increasingly optimistic it will get the go-ahead. 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."

"It's come out of a conversation I've had with David in cycling, said Coe. 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 about it, it doesn't really have. And sharing the same course in 2030 with cyclocross is really where our thinking is going."

Cross-country running and cyclocross have a strong prospect of inclusion in the 2030 Winter Olympics in France under proposed IOC programme reforms. The IOC is considering relocating some indoor summer sports, such as judo, into future Winter Games to maintain relevance. A provisional plan would stage cross-country and cyclocross on the same course in the French Alps. Support from the IOC president and the UCI president has increased optimism about approval. Inclusion of cross-country could give African nations a stronger presence at the Winter Games. A variation of the Olympic charter would be required because of the snow-and-ice definition of winter sports.

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