In June, the International Olympic Committee will decide whether or not to retain Nordic Combined as part of the Olympic programme. Like Jean-Claude KILLY, Marie-José PÉREC, David DOUILLET, Bill DEMONG, Johnny SPILLANE, Peter PREVC, Domen PREVC, Ryoyu KOBAYASHI, Ren NIKKAIDO and dozens of Olympic champions and medallists, sign this support letter and refuse to see Nordic combined disappear ! 

Because it remains a cornerstone of the Olympic Games

Nordic Combined is one of the very few sports to have featured in every Winter Olympic Games since 1924 (alongside ice hockey, ski jumping, cross-country skiing and skating). It has continuously evolved, introducing shorter formats such as sprints, demonstrating its adaptability.

It also inspired the pursuit format now used in both cross-country skiing and biathlon, thanks to the time-calculation method developed by former Nordic Combined athlete Gunder Gundersen. Removing it would sever a direct link between future generations and the origins of the Games, as well as weaken the Nordic skiing family.

Because Nordic Combined is environmentally responsible

It requires no new costly infrastructure: the discipline uses existing ski jumping hills and cross-country trails. This aligns perfectly with the IOC’s Agenda 2020+5, which prioritizes sustainability, cost reduction and minimal environmental impact.

At a time when organisers face both budgetary and environmental pressures, retaining this sport (also practiced in summer, like ski jumping) is a smart and responsible choice that does not increase the Olympic financial burden.

Because sports need the women

Nordic Combined is the last Winter Olympic sport that remained 100% male at the 2026 Games, despite the existence of a Women’s World Cup since 2021. The discipline must include women by 2030 to align with the Olympic Charter on gender equality, while fostering growth, boosting audiences and attracting new, inclusive partners.

Because it is full of suspense

Competing both in the air (ski jumping) and on the ground (cross-country skiing), Nordic Combined athletes are among the most complete in sport. The pursuit race format delivers excitement and dramatic turnarounds, with athletes able to close gaps of one or even two minutes to cross the finish line as winners. This level of suspense is perfectly suited to modern media formats (short clips, live content, social media storytelling) and deserves greater visibility. The 2026 Olympic events in Val di Fiemme have already shown growing enthusiasm, particularly among younger audiences.

Because more and more nations are emerging

An increasing number of nations are developing through the FIS programmes. At the latest Junior World Championships, 18 nations were represented, with diverse podiums (Czech Republic and France in the men’s events; Slovenia, Japan and Italy in the women’s), showing that the traditional dominance of Germany, Austria and Norway is being challenged. At youth level, the success of Baltic and non-Alpine countries (Estonia, Ukraine, Poland…) highlights the sport’s expanding global reach. Maintaining and supporting Nordic Combined will only strengthen this universality.

Because, looking ahead to 2030, Nordic Combined is deeply rooted in French sporting culture

In 1992, Fabrice Guy became the first Olympic champion in the history of French Nordic skiing, closely followed by his teammate Sylvain Guillaume, who won the silver medal for an iconic one-two finish etched in history. In 2010, Jason Lamy-Chappuis claimed gold in Vancouver, proving that despite a relatively small pool of participants, this discipline is built on strong foundations. In regions such as Jura, Vosges, Mont-Blanc, Dauphiné and Savoie, young athletes are driven by the Olympic dream. Hosting these events « at home » in 2030 would demonstrate the IOC’s commitment to its history and core values.

Because we cannot shatter dreams

Hundreds of athletes, like those who recently excelled at the Junior World Championships and train with a single goal in mind, would suddenly lose their Olympic dream, which is often the only horizon in sports that operate far from full professionalism. Removing Nordic Combined from the Olympic programme would effectively seal its short-term disappearance, despite its promotion of amateurism, versatility and inspiration for young people.

Do not abandon them.

 

SIGNATORIES

Léo LACROIX (France, alpine skiing, silver medallist, 1964)

Jean-Claude KILLY (France, alpine skiing, 3 x gold medallist, 1968)

Franck PICCARD (France, alpine skiing, gold medallist, 1988)

Catherine PLEWINSKI (France, swimming, 2 x bronze medallist, 1988 and 1992)

Fabrice GUY (France, nordic combined, gold medallist, 1992)

Sylvain GUILLAUME (France, nordic combined, silver medallist, 1992)

Marie-Jo PÉREC (France, athletics, 3 x gold medallist, 1992 and 1996)

David DOUILLET (France, judo, 2 x gold medallist, 1996 and 2000)

Florence MASNADA (France, alpine skiing, 2 x bronze medallist, 1992 and 1998)

Frank ADISSON (France, canoe slalom, gold medallist, 1996)

Sandra FORGUES (France, canoe slalom, gold medallist, 1996)

Stéphane TRAINEAU (France, judo, 2 x bronze medallist, 1996 and 2000)

Nicolas BAL (France, nordic combined, bronze medallist, 1998)

Ludovic ROUX (France, nordic combined, bronze medallist, 1998)

Sébastien FOUCRAS (France, freestyle skiing, bronze medallist, 1998)

Roxana MARACINEANU (France, swimming, silver medallist, 2000)

Carole MONTILLET (France, alpine skiing, gold medallist, 2002)

Sandra LAOURA (France, freestyle skiing, bronze medallist, 2006)

Antoine DÉNÉRIAZ (France, alpine skiing, gold medallist, 2006)

Alain BERNARD (France, swimming, gold medalist, 2008)

Jason LAMY-CHAPPUIS (France, nordic combined, gold medallist, 2010)

Bill DEMONG (USA, nordic combined, gold medallist, 2010)

Johnny SPILLANE (USA, nordic combined, 3 x silver medallist, 2010)

Sandrine BAILLY (France, biathlon, silver medallist, 2010)

Coline MATTEL (France, ski jumping, bronze medallist, 2014)

Robin DUVILLARD (France, cross-country skiing, bronze medallist, 2014)

Jean-Marc GAILLARD (France, cross-country skiing, 2 x bronze medallist, 2014 and 2018)

Maurice MANIFICAT (France, cross-country skiing, 4 x bronze medallist, 2014, 2018 and 2022)

Anaïs BESCOND (France, biathlon, gold medallist 2018)

Marie DORIN-HABERT (France, biathlon, gold medallist, 2018)

Richard JOUVE (France, cross-country skiing, 2 x bronze medallist, 2018 and 2022)

Ryoyu KOBAYASHI (Japan, ski jumping, gold medallist, 2022)

Peter PREVC (Slovenia, ski jumping, gold medallist, 2022)

Quentin FILLON MAILLET (France, biathlon, 5 x gold medallist, 2022 and 2026)

Nicolas GESTIN (France, canoe slalom, gold medallist, 2024)

Angèle HUG (France, kayak cross, silver medallist, 2024)

Valentin MADOUAS (France, cycling, silver medallist, 2024)

Lou JEANMONNOT (France, biathlon, gold medallist, 2026)

Éric PERROT (France, 2 x gold medallist, 2026)

Émilien JACQUELIN (France, biathlon, gold medallist, 2026)

Mathis DESLOGES (France, cross-country skiing, 3 x silver medallist, 2026)

Ren NIKAIDO (Japan, ski jumping, silver medallist, 2026)

Domen PREVC (Slovenia, ski jumping, gold medallist, 2026)