Women’s Nordic Combine Fights for their Place in the Olympic Games
Nordic Combined USA and Nordic Combined News Launch Campaign to Demand Gender Equality at 2030 Olympics and beyond
An updated petition and advocacy efforts call on the IOC to add women’s Nordic Combined and preserve men’s tradition as a decision looms.
Nordic Combined USA and Nordic Combined News announced a joint campaign urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include Women’s Nordic Combined in the 2030 Olympic Winter Games program while maintaining the men’s event that has been part of the Games since 1924.
About Nordic Combined
Nordic Combined is a winter sport combining ski jumping and cross-country skiing. It has been part of the Winter Olympics since 1924, making it one of the original Olympic winter sports. Women’s World Cup competition began in 2020 and has experienced rapid growth in participation, viewership, and competitive depth.
Women Have Proven They’re Ready
In 2022, the IOC rejected women’s Nordic Combined for the 2026 Games, citing concerns about the sport’s readiness. Since then, women athletes have systematically responded to and resolved each of those concerns:
Events Expanded
World Cup events nearly doubled from nine in the 2021-22 season to 17 in 2025-26
Viewership increased: Women’s Nordic Combined viewership grew 25% in the 2024-25 season
Global Participation
12 nations competed at the 2025 World Championships in front of an estimated 20,000 fans.
6 different nations in the top 6 current World Cup Standings, and three US women finished in the top 10 at the January 2026 World Cups in Otepää, Estonia and Seefeld, Austria.
“The women have done everything asked of them and more,” said Jill Brabec, Board President of Nordic Combined USA. “They’ve met every benchmark set in 2022. Nordic Combined is the last Winter Olympic sport where women cannot compete. The IOC has committed to gender equality and now it’s time to deliver on that promise.”
American Athletes Poised for Olympic Success
Three American women are currently ranked in the world’s top 11: Alexa Brabec #2, Annika Malacinski #10, Tara Geraghty-Moats #11. All would be legitimate medal contenders if given the opportunity to compete.
The situation is particularly striking for the Malacinski family. While Annika’s brother will represent Team USA in men’s Nordic Combined at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, Annika, despite her world-class ranking, will watch from the sidelines.
“This is about more than one sport,” said Charlotte from Nordic Combined News. “It’s about keeping promises, recognizing achievement, and ensuring that when women do everything asked of them, they’re rewarded with opportunity, not excuses.”
Campaign Elements
The joint campaign includes:
Updated petition calling on the IOC to add women’s Nordic Combined and preserve men’s Nordic Combined
Digital advocacy toolkit for influencers and supporters to share the athletes’ stories
Outreach to the 21,000 petition signers from 2022, mobilizing them to amplify their voices
Social media campaign featuring athlete stories, including the film Where She Lands about Annika Malacinski’s journey
“In 2022, 21,000 people signed a petition supporting these women,” said Brabec. “Those supporters were right–the women WERE ready. Now we need even more voices to ensure the IOC makes the right decision to expand opportunity rather than erase tradition.”
The Wrong Solution
Rather than adding women’s events to achieve the gender parity the IOC has promised, the organization is considering eliminating men’s Nordic Combined, a foundational winter sport that has been part of every Winter Olympics since the first Games in Chamonix in 1924.
“Removing a century-old Olympic tradition doesn’t solve inequality. It compounds it,” said Brabec. “Nordic Combined uses existing facilities. It requires no additional infrastructure. There is no reason to eliminate the men’s event when the right solution is so clear: add the women.”
The Economic Case
Nordic Combined is uniquely cost-efficient, utilizing existing ski jumping hills and cross-country courses already built for Olympic venues. Adding women’s events requires no new facilities or infrastructure investment, making it one of the most economical ways to advance gender equality in the Winter Games.
About Nordic Combined USA
Nordic Combined USA is the national governing body for Nordic Combined in the United States, supporting athlete development, competition, and advocacy for the sport at all levels.
Call to Action
Nordic Combined USA and Nordic Combined News are calling on supporters to:
Sign and share the updated petition at:
Watch and share Where She Lands, the film about Annika Malacinski’s journey:
https://youtu.be/MC6naKkdo1c?si=TMA7ySponc4cGGVz
Contact the IOC via social media (@olympics) to show your support,
And -Tune in to the men’s Nordic Combined events during the Winter Olympics to show there is interest in the sport.
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