International Olympic Committee Confirms Big Air’s Addition to Pyeongchang 2018
Big Air has always been an integral part of snowboard culture, leading to monumental moments in progression. What impact will the Olympic addition have? Image:: Billabong Air & Style 2012, Innsbruck
Transfer | Alex Horvath
Today’s announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has confirmed widespread rumours that Snowboard Big Air will become part of the official programme of snowboard events at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics.
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The IOC also announced that the event will debut alongside three other new event categories including mass-start speedskating, curling mixed doubles and a team slalom ski event. The Executive Board’s announcement was made alongside confirmation of athlete quotas for each participating nation.
Based on statements made in the Press Release, the IOC seem to be recognising the need for more youth-focussed events to stimulate interest and higher levels of media engagement. The IOC also state that the changes were made in order to provide better gender equality, and achieve lower “infrastructure and operational cost and complexity.”
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The announcement is sure to revive controversy around the Olympic Debate amongst snowboarders, leading many to continue to question the relevance of Olympic competition in an increasingly fragmented snowboard market.
Is the addition of Big Air a good thing? Or is it just another attempt to try and recapture an increasingly disinterested snowboard market? Join the conversation below.
