US Nordic combined athlete Annika Malacinski has issued an Instagram following the IOC's decision to ban women from Winter Olympics sport.

Nordic combined is one of the 16 original Winter Olympics events, dating back to the Games’ origins in 1924 in Chamonix, France. It’s also the only winter sport to never allow women to compete at the Games.

Female athletes competing in Nordic combined plan to stage a protest Friday over the lack of a women's event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is a landmark event for gender equality at the Games, with women making up 47% of athletes on the programme. But they are still prohibited from competing in one event at the Games.

Nordic combined has been part of every Winter Games program since 1924, but it’s facing existential questions stemming from participation numbers and gender equity.

Women have never competed in Nordic combined at the Olympics. The IOC is touting the 2026 Games as “the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games in history,” with women making up 47 percent of athletes. Twelve of the 16 disciplines include full gender parity. But one discipline lacks a women’s event altogether: Nordic combined.

The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina will bring together athletes from around the world to compete on ice and snow. Fans will see fast races, high jumps, and skill-based events across different venues.