International Olympic Committee (IOC) director of communications Mark Adams (left) and IOC sports director Kit McConnell host a press conference in Lausanne, Switzerland. Photo: Xinhua
The IOC says its executive board approved women’s monobob, Big Air freestyle skiing for men and women, plus mixed team events in short track speed skating, ski jumping, ski aerials and snowboard cross.
Aiming to cut organising costs, there should be 41 fewer athletes in Beijing than the 2,933 competitors at the Pyeongchang Olympics last February.
Chinese performers dance during a ceremony to mark the arrival of the Olympic flag and start of the flag tour for the Winter Olympic Games Beijing 2022. Photo: AP
The IOC says an improved gender balance will see 45.4 per cent female athletes in Beijing, rising from 41.1 per cent in Pyeongchang.
Women’s ice hockey becomes a 10-team line-up instead of eight, adding 46 athletes.
Sports losing athletes from their Olympic quota include 41 in skiing disciplines, 26 from skating, and 20 fewer in biathlon.
