Kirsty Coventry, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), arrived just in time to witness the Gundersen event in Nordic Combined at the Winter Olympics. Dressed in a blue jacket and sporting pilot sunglasses with gold rims, she took a seat in the reserved FIS Family Tribune right at the finish line. Alongside her was Johan Eliasch, a billionaire and president of the International Ski Federation. Their attendance highlights the significance of the Nordic Combined competition at these Games as it faces increasing scrutiny over its status in the Olympic program.

The Nordic Combined event, which has been part of the Olympics since 1924 for men and has been excluded for women until now, is currently listed as critically endangered. With the next Olympic Games set to occur in 2030 in the French Alps, there are serious discussions regarding the elimination of the men's event from the program altogether. Critics argue this could be a violation of Olympic principles of equality, as women have still never been represented in this discipline.

Coventry's enthusiasm for the event could be a strategic effort to rally support and draw focus to the importance of maintaining the Nordic Combined in the Olympics. This reflects broader discussions within the IOC regarding gender equality and inclusion in sports, as they strive to encourage more diverse participation across disciplines and ensure that both men's and women's competitions receive equal recognition and opportunity in future games.