It's the only event without a women's category

Women's versions of events that men already compete in continue to be added, with women's double luge only making its debut in 2026.

Nordic combined is one of two Olympic events which is unique to only one gender group.

In the summer games, Rhythmic Gymnastics has only a women's event, while in the winter games only men compete in Nordic combined, an event where athletes compete in both cross-country skiing and ski jumping.

However, there is indeed a large enough pool of women competing in the Nordic combined event outside of the Olympics, so why does the event not exist at the games?

Well, it comes down an IOC ruling against the event.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) as repeatedly refused to allow the event into the games, citing a low diversity in the number of countries competing in the event and concerns over the sport's global growth.

This has left a bitter taste for many of the athletes pushing for the event to make its debut at the Olympics, rubbing salt into the wound for American Annika Malacinski whose brother will be competing in the men's event.

The siblings train together and Malacinksi regularly finishes in the top 10 on the Nordic combined circuit, however, will have to watch from the side lines.