The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which met on April 5 and 6 in London during the “SportAccord” Congress, decided to include six new disciplines in the program for the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics.
“These new Olympic events will undoubtedly be greatly appreciated by athletes and sports fans,” said IOC President Jacques Rogge. “They are exciting and entertaining events that perfectly complement those already included in the sports program. They offer additional appeal and will increase the number of competitors at the Games. I look forward to seeing these athletes compete in Sochi in 2014.”
As explained by the IOC, this decision was made based on a report presented by the Olympic Program Commission to the IOC Executive Board (EB) in Acapulco in October 2010.
The Program Commission studied proposals from each International Sports Federation and conducted, at the EB’s request, a detailed analysis of all events in contention during the corresponding World Championships this winter. Furthermore, the Program Commission took into account a feasibility study conducted by the organizers of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
Among the main factors considered were: improving universality, gender equality, appeal to youth, and the added value for the Games. Other assessment elements included the cost of infrastructure and the impact on the total athlete quota and the number of events.
Five other events—ski slopestyle (men and women), snowboard slopestyle (men and women), and a parallel team event in alpine skiing—are under a new feasibility study. A decision regarding their inclusion in the Olympic program will be made in the coming weeks.
Here are the new disciplines:
Women’s Ski Jumping
This discipline unsuccessfully sought admission to the Vancouver 2010 Games program. It is currently developing with the organization of the World Cup by the FIS next season and has more and more participants. Women’s ski jumping passed its “entrance exam” at the 2011 Nordic World Ski Championships in Oslo from February 23 to March 6.
Mixed Relay in Biathlon
The same principle as the traditional biathlon relay but organized with teams consisting of two men and two women. This event is already organized during the World Biathlon Championships.
Ski Halfpipe (men and women)
The same principle as snowboard halfpipe: a half-tube of snow where spectacular tricks are performed by gaining momentum off the sides. Ski jumps have a greater amplitude than snowboard jumps.
Team Event in Figure Skating
The event involves eight skaters (two men, two women, a pair duo, and an ice dance duo) from the same nation, with points added up to determine a ranking. This event was organized for the first time at the Tokyo World Championships in 2009.
Relay in Luge
Three competitors per nation take turns on the luge track, and the fastest team wins. The FIL (International Luge Federation) already organizes this event in the various stages of the World Cup.
