Cross-Country Running Could Join the Winter Olympics by 2030, Says World Athletics Chief

In a landmark move that could reshape the Winter Olympic landscape, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe has confirmed ongoing discussions to include cross-country running in future editions of the Winter Games — potentially as early as 2030 in the French Alps.

Historically part of the Summer Olympics until 1924, cross-country running is now being considered for a Winter Olympic revival due to two key factors: favorable cold-weather conditions and the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) push for innovation. Coe revealed that he has spoken with IOC President Kirsty Coventry, who is reportedly open to expanding the Games’ format to include new disciplines that are engaging and accessible to global audiences.

The proposal is not just about sport — it’s about inclusion. Coe emphasized that the Winter Olympics currently lack African representation, largely due to the continent’s climate and absence of snow-based sports. Introducing cross-country running would offer African athletes a real pathway to Winter Olympic medals, a feat never before achieved.

The idea is being explored by a 10-member IOC working group, which includes Coe himself. This group is also considering other traditionally summer sports like pole vault, BMX, and cyclo-cross, especially those contested in winter conditions or on terrain similar to snow and ice. However, for cross-country running to be officially added, the Olympic Charter would need to be amended, as it currently restricts Winter Olympic sports to those performed on snow or ice.

Coe suggested that if the sport isn’t ready for inclusion in 2030, it could debut at the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He also hinted at a possible shared course with cyclo-cross, creating a dynamic and spectator-friendly format that contrasts with the often hard-to-follow nature of traditional winter sports like biathlon or downhill skiing.

For Coe, the proposal carries personal significance. He recalled his early athletic experiences in muddy, cold conditions, describing cross-country as a vital part of developing endurance athletes. “It’s a really important part of our sport,” he said. “And it would give Africa a proper presence at the Winter Olympics, which it currently lacks”