International Olympic Committee sporting director Keith McConnell says the IOC has approved the equalization of women’s and men’s cross-country skiing at the 2026 Olympics.
— In cross-country skiing, we have taken another step towards gender equality. The FIS has proposed full parity in terms of distances in cross-country skiing competitions. It was approved.
Therefore, in all cross-country events in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, men and women will compete over the same distances in the same format, McConnell told an IOC press conference.
Earlier, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Council announced the decision to equalize the distances for women’s and men’s races at the world championships. At the last world championships, women in a race with a separate start ran a distance of 10 kilometers, a skiathlon – 15 km, a marathon – 30 km. For men, these disciplines took place respectively over distances of 15, 30 and 50 km. In relay races, women overcame a distance of 4 over 5 km, and men – 4 over 10 km.
According to the new FIS rules at the world championships, time trials will be held at a distance of 10 km, skiathlon – 20 km, marathon – 50 km. In the relay, the athletes will run 4 stages of 7.5 km.
The Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo Olympic Games will take place from February 6 to 22, 2026.
Source : MatchTV
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