Four New Sports Added to the 2018 Winter Olympics
New Events Promise to Add Cool Factor to the Games
Four years ago, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) added twelve new events to the Olympic Games as an attempt to enhance the "cool factor." Continuing its hope to attract younger audiences, the IOC has decided to add four new events to the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea. TV and media interest, as well as gender equality, also played a role in the IOC's decision to add these new events.
The new events are Big Air in snowboarding, mass start in speed skating, mixed doubles in curling, and a team skiing event. There will be 100 events total, with 2,900 athletes competing.
Criteria for New Events
According to the Olympic Program Commission, a sport or discipline must meet the following criteria in order to be added to the Olympics program:
- offer a high level of international participation (including at least two world and continental championships);
- global public and media interest, strong social value, a commitment to youth and youth development, and a judging system that is transparent and objective.
Big Air Snowboarding
Big Air will replace the snowboard parallel slalom event in the 2018 Winter Olympics. The goal is for snowboarders to perform as many jumps as possible during the allotted time, completing flips and spins as they fly off the ramps.
Mass Start in Speed Skating
Mass start is a fun twist on the normal long-track speed skating. In this event, there are four intermediate sprints that occur during the sixteen laps, one of which is at the end. The first three finishers for each sprint are awarded points. In the end, the top three finishers win a spot on the podium, and the rest of the rankings are determined by the points allotted throughout the race.
Mixed Doubles in Curling
Normally divided into men and women, curling teams have four players. Mixed Doubles will switch up the game, creating teams of two: one man and one woman. Because teams are only two people each, the number of stones will be six, rather than the normal eight.
Team Skiing
Teams of two men and two women will compete in parallel slalom races for the new team skiing event.
