A historic sport for Poland withdrawn from the Games! Shock in the Olympic world

We informed in a separate text in WPROST about the decision made by the International Olympic Committee regarding Russia and Belarus. However, it turned out that there were several surprising – although not that shocking – decisions.

One of the next ones was a move in the context of the Olympic sports card that will be present during Winter Olympics 2030. It turns out that one of the historical disciplines has just fallen out of circulation.

Winter 2030 without Nordic combined! The IOC brutally dealt with history

It so happened that exactly in 1956, the first, historic medal for Poland at the Winter Olympic Games was won by Franciszek Gąsienica-Groń. It took place on the Apennine Peninsula, although it is a fact that the Olympic Games were not held in exactly the same place at that time – as in this year’s 2026 edition. However, this does not change the fact that the bronze medal for Poland – the first in the winter edition at the Olympics – resulted in success in the Nordic combined. A sport combining running and ski jumping.

And on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, this sport was officially removed from the 2030 Winter Olympics. Let us add, having been in this very prestigious group… from the very beginning of the Winter Olympic competition.

According to research, Nordic combined was publicly the most unpopular sport at the 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026 Winter Games, which justified the IOC’s decision. Moreover, the discipline is too focused on just a few countries. Only five different nations have won medals at the last four Winter Games.

It’s a heavy blow for a combined player. For years, athletes and federations have been fighting to remain in the program of the world’s most important sports competitions. If it was decided to maintain discipline in the program, women would also start in 2030 for the first time.

Let us remind you that in 2030 the Winter Olympics will be held again in Europe, this time in the French Alps.