Colorado Senators Advocate for Inclusion of Women’s Nordic Combined

U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper from Colorado have addressed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with a letter advocating for the inclusion of women’s Nordic combined in the Olympic Games. The senators are also urging the IOC not to eliminate the sport altogether, highlighting its significance in winter sports history. Currently, Nordic combined is the only Olympic sport lacking both men’s and women’s competitions.

The letter emphasizes that Nordic combined has been part of the Winter Olympics since the inaugural games in 1924. It notes the importance of ski jumping and cross-country skiing in Colorado, stating that jumps have been constructed throughout the state, including the historic Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs, which is the oldest continuously operating ski area in North America.

As the countdown to the 2026 Milan Cortina Games approaches, the United States will be represented by two Nordic combined athletes: Niklas Malacinski and Ben Loomis. Malacinski, who hails from Steamboat Springs, has a sister, Annika Malacinski, who is actively campaigning for women’s inclusion in the sport. Annika currently holds a commendable 10th position in the World Cup standings.

Another key athlete from Steamboat Springs, Alexa Brabec, ranks second in the World Cup standings and achieved a noteworthy victory on January 30, 2023, in Seefeld, Austria. Brabec has made her mark this season, standing on the podium six times. The IOC has previously cited a lack of diversity among winners as a reason for not including a women’s competition, a point contested by Todd Lodwick, an Olympic Nordic combined medalist and World Champion.

Lodwick asserts that Brabec’s success demonstrates that athletes from various countries can compete effectively, challenging the IOC’s rationale for excluding women from the sport. He stated, “Her win shows that more countries are competitive than the traditional Scandinavian powers, which was what the International Olympic Committee cited as a reason for it not being an Olympic sport. Her win is a watershed moment for the sport, where the IOC can no longer deny women entry.”

Another American contender, Tara Geraghty-Moats, ranked 11th in the World Cup standings, has also made an impact this season, finishing third in Seefeld on February 1, 2023.

A decision regarding the future of women’s Nordic combined is anticipated after the conclusion of the Milan Cortina Games on February 22, 2026. Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper concluded their letter by stating, “Women’s Nordic combined deserves a place in the Olympics, and expanding that opportunity for these athletes is the right choice over eliminating tradition.” They expressed their willingness to discuss collaborative efforts to achieve this important goal.

This development highlights the ongoing efforts to promote gender equality in sports, particularly in Olympic competitions, and the increasing visibility of female athletes in disciplines traditionally dominated by men.