US athlete Annika Malacinski has spoken out after training for five years in Nordic combined — a Winter Olympic sport that still does not allow women to compete. While many fans know the Olympics well, Nordic combined remains one of its most debated events. First introduced in 1892 and included in the inaugural Winter Games in 1924, Nordic combined merges ski jumping with cross-country skiing. Athletes begin with a jump from a hill, followed by a 10km cross-country race later the same day.

Results from the jump determine starting times for the race, with the first to cross the finish line winning. Despite multiple Olympic events for men, there is still no women’s Nordic combined competition. At the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Nordic combined will remain the only sport without female participation. In 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) declined to add a women’s event, citing limited audience interest and insufficient global participation.

The decision drew criticism, especially after the IOC promoted the Games as the most gender-balanced Winter Olympics in history. Malacinski shared the emotional toll of the ruling, revealing she cried for hours after learning women would again be excluded. She emphasized the issue is not ability, but opportunity — women are still not allowed to compete on the same stage as men.

She also highlighted the ongoing gap in funding, media coverage, and development opportunities for women in the sport. The IOC says Nordic combined is under full review, with a final decision on including women expected after the 2026 Games. Meanwhile, Malacinski remains determined, saying she will continue fighting for equality and Olympic inclusion.