Top News

IOC confirms Vancouver Games winter sports for Sochi

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-10-26 09:24

ACAPULCO - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to keep women's cross country skiing and ice hockey as permanent events, which had been chosen as exhibition sports for the Vancouver Winter Olympic Games, IOC officials said on Monday.

A further 10 events are being considered for appearance in exhibition in the 2014 Winter Games in Russian city Sochi, Gilbert Felli, head organizer of the Olympic Games on the IOC's Executive Committee, told a press conference in Mexican Pacific coast resort Acapulco.

Related readings:  IOC says doping will never disappear  IOC inaugurates Olympic Youth Development Centre in Zambia  IOC takes back 2000 medal

"The final decision should be made after the world championships," he added.

The 10 events under consideration are women's ski jumping, ski halfpipe for both men and women, ski slopestyle for men and women, snowboard slopestyle for both men and women, biathlon mixed relay, team figure skating and team luge relay. The executive committee has delegated the decision to IOC president Jacque Rogge.

The new sports do not imply a dramatic expense for Sochi's organizers, Felli added. "Women ski jumpers can use the men's slope. Slopestyle events will need new infrastructure," he said.

Felli also said the IOC plans to simplify the bidding process for cities seeking an Olympic event, to avoid duplication of paperwork. The IOC used to insist on a two-phase project: one detailing government and sponsor support and the second with technical issues regarding the facilities.