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World Athletics president Sebastian Coe and International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry discussed the inclusion of cross country taking place in the 2030 Winter Olympic Games.
Coe, while in New York to observe the New York City Marathon, talked to the Associated Press about the conversation.
“The new president has made it clear that, for now, everything is on the table. It’s a very different atmosphere. It’s much more about how we can improve together than being told what to do. She’s breathed new life into the organisation,” Coe told the Associated Press.
Coventry also happens to be interested in cricket’s inclusion during the Summer Olympics.
It was a pleasure to meet with IOC President Kirsty Coventry to continue our ongoing discussions on the road to @LA28 and Cricket's return to the Olympic Games. We reflected on the progress made so far and the significant role cricket can play in the growth of the Olympic… pic.twitter.com/oiAhZqMD3u
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 30, 2025
Athletics would grow the Winter Olympic audience
The athletics event would change the dynamic of the audience from being primarily northern hemisphere to global. The Winter Olympics could only stand to grow, even with one event from the sport of athletics.
Athletics is the largest part of the Summer Olympic Games. Most events or sports require an athletics-like basic level of fitness to develop specific skills and physical literacy in other sports. Additionally, athletics is practiced globally, while other sports are often regional or not available to certain populations.
Cross-country could field the most elite athletes as it would be the only athletics event in the Winter Olympics. During the Summer Olympics, most athletes have to choose one or two events to compete in.
While some sprinters attempt bobsleigh, due to the sprinting required, it is an athletics-adjacent event managed by the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation. Sprinters do race cross-country.
The Olympic Charter would need to be revisited, changed, tabled and voted on. Currently, the charter stipulates that Winter Olympic sports must be performed on snow or ice.
Athletics is moving to the first week of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, which Coe is in favour of.
“We still have the timetable to work on and there are lots of things,” Coe said. “But starting off with a big moment that is athletics in an Olympic Games, quickly off the back of what we know is LA and an opening ceremony that will be jaw-dropping because that’s what they do really well.”
