Is cyclocross bound for the Winter Olympics?

Members of the International Olympic Committee and the International Cycling Union (UCI) are planning to meet next week to discuss cyclocross. The Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reports that Peter Van Den Abeele, the UCI’s off-road co-ordinator, will speak with Christophe Dubi, the IOC sports director, to discuss the possibility of including cyclocross in the Winter Olympics.

Currently, only sports that are practised on snow or ice are allowed into the Games. The International Athletics Federation, however, is hoping to get cross-country running into the Olympics. Both ‘cross and cross-country could make their way into the Games if the IOC modifies the snow-and-ice rule to “sports practised in winter months.”

UCI president Brian Cookson is in favour of cyclocross becoming an Olympic sport.

Canadian cyclocrossers, unlike like their colleagues on the track, road or trails, do not get federal financial support. If  ‘cross does become an Olympic event, new funding opportunities could open up for Canadian athletes.