The International Olympic Committee announced that synchronized skating will be added to the program for the 2030 Winter Olympics [1].
This inclusion represents a significant shift in the Olympic landscape, aiming to modernize the Winter Games and fulfill a long-standing demand from the skating community. By integrating this discipline, the IOC intends to ensure gender parity for the 2030 event [2].
The games will take place in the French Alps [2]. The decision comes after 20 years of requests from synchronized skating organizations to be recognized on the global stage [2]. To facilitate this transition, the sport has adopted a new format known as "synchro 9," which reduces the number of skaters per team to nine [3].
"We are delighted to welcome synchronized skating to the Olympic program," Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, said [1].
The move is part of a broader restructuring of the winter program. While synchronized skating and freeride are being integrated, the Nordic combined event will be removed from the schedule [2].
Athletes have reacted to the news with optimism regarding their competitive prospects. "It is a historic turning point for our sport and a real chance for Canada to aim for a medal," Marie-Ève Bouchard, a member of the Cassiopée club in Sherbrooke, said [2].
Officials noted that the structural changes to the team size were necessary for Olympic viability. "After 20 years of effort, the move from 16 to nine teams is a real step forward for synchronized skating," Jean-François Bouchard, director of synchronized skating for the French Figure Skating Federation, said [3].
The official announcement was made on July 7, 2026 [1].
“"We are delighted to welcome synchronized skating to the Olympic program."”
The addition of synchronized skating reflects the IOC's strategy to attract younger audiences and increase inclusivity by prioritizing gender parity. By replacing traditional events like Nordic combined with more modern, team-oriented disciplines, the committee is pivoting toward sports with broader global appeal and more flexible team formats, such as the 'synchro 9' model.
