Comments on: Why Snowshoeing Should Be an Olympic Sport

By: Pete katapski

Pete katapski — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 02:27:32 +0000

Yes snow shoe racing should absolutely be added as a Olympic sport

By: Jim Joque

Jim Joque — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 22:41:18 +0000

I concur with the author and post-comment’s sentiments, and I agree with all the supporting argument about wanting snowshoe events/racing included in the Winter Olympics. However, the stoppage seems to be in the number of countries where snowshoe racing takes place. As a past snowshoe columnist for a Midwest magazine, Silent Sports, I wrote in December 2006, “Why the Winer Olympics Excludes Snowshoe Racing.” At that time, the IOC required a minimum of 40 approved countries participating in a sport and having National Governing Bodies (NGB) recognition. In 2006, 15 countries participated in snowshoe racing, and only 3 of those countries had NGB. I do not know the current numbers of countries participating, but I am guessing we are not near the numbers required. From what I found in Britannica, the minimum number required today; “A sport must be widely practiced by men in at least 75 countries across four continents and by women in at least 40 countries across three continents” (not sure why the gender difference). Sadly, the reality is that snowshoe racing may not have garnered enough worldwide attention at this time.

By: Susan Wowk

Susan Wowk — Mon, 08 Aug 2022 21:49:20 +0000

In reply to Stephen. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Stephen! It's challenging to navigate all the logistics of adding snowshoeing as a sport. However, with the continued growth in popularity, we hope we're getting closer to snowshoeing being part of the Olympics! -Susan, Snowshoe Mag Editor

By: Stephen

Stephen — Sat, 19 Mar 2022 16:50:48 +0000

A huge YES! Snowshoeing is a great competitive sport and has as much historical significance as many other Oly athletics! Matt makes a good point of having Nordic Sprint snowshoe comps! Sadly, this is not as popular as the 5K, 10K and longer races. It would be even more competitive to create a pentathlon Nordic combination which can be a one-day or two-day event.

By: Susan Wowk

Susan Wowk — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 22:51:08 +0000

In reply to WarrenB. Agreed, WarrenB! It would be great to see snowshoe racing as an event, especially considering track and field has been a centerpiece of the Summer Olympics for over a hundred years. We can only hope we'll see snowshoe racers out there at some point. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! - Susan, Snowshoe Mag Editor