Sebastian Coe has expressed interest in reintroducing a cross-country running event to the Olympics for the 2030 Winter Games. As the head of World Athletics, Coe has been advocating for the inclusion of this event in the Olympic Games for some time. He mentioned that the new president of the International Olympic Committee, Kirsty Coventry, has shown openness to exploring new ideas, creating a positive atmosphere for potential changes.
Coe revealed that discussions have taken place regarding the possibility of introducing cross-country running at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps or potentially in Salt Lake City in the following edition. The sport was last featured in the Summer Olympics in 1924 but was removed due to extreme conditions that led to heat exhaustion among athletes. By adding it to the Winter Games, these issues could be avoided, and it could also provide an opportunity to involve more countries, especially those from Africa who might excel in the sport.
Coe emphasized the potential benefits of including cross-country running in the Winter Olympics, stating that it could help diversify the games and provide a platform for African nations to showcase their talent. He mentioned the need for a straightforward amendment to the Olympic charter to allow winter sports to be eligible for inclusion in the program.
Being part of the IOC’s new Olympic program working group, Coe is actively involved in assessing the event’s size and exploring ways to add or remove sports. He also highlighted the upcoming shift of track events to the first week of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, expressing support for this change and reminiscing about his participation in the 1984 Games.
In addition to his Olympic involvement, Coe announced a new event called RUN X, featuring the world treadmill championship with qualifying rounds leading to a live final for the top competitors. He also expressed excitement about the upcoming Ultimate Championships in Budapest, Hungary, scheduled for September 11-13, which will showcase top athletes in a condensed format aimed at television viewership.
Overall, Coe’s initiatives aim to promote global running communities, enhance event sustainability, and engage audiences through innovative sports competitions.