Nordic combined crowned its first medalists on Wednesday as the fight over the sport's Olympic future rages on.

Norway's Jens Lurås Oftebro claimed gold in the Nordic combined skiing normal hill/10 kilometres event on Wednesday amid hopes of a good promotion of the endangered Olympic sport. Having started the cross country pursuit in seventh place after a morning ski jump,

The sport has been a part of the Olympics since the first Winter Games in 1924. It’s a combination of the two main Nordic events: cross-country skiing and ski jumping. Athletes

Eero Hirvonen wins bronze in the Nordic combined at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, securing Finland’s first medal of the Games. The medal was decided on the final climb in Val di Fiemme. Suvi Minkkinen finished 12th in the women’s 15km biathlon after two penalties.

Estonian skier Kristjan Ilves came sixth overall in the Nordic Combined event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, though was in the lead after the initial ski jumping round.

Nordic combined, which brings together ski ​jumping and cross-country skiing, has faced growing scrutiny in recent years over the exclusion of women and waning interest.

Austrian Johannes Lamparter and brother duos Jens and Einaar Luraas Oftebro of Norway and Thomas and Stefan Rettenegger of Austria headline Nordic combined podium contenders at Milan Cortina 2026.

Top: Eau Claire native Ben Loomis, a member of the U.S. Olympic Team, brakes in the finish area on Wednesday after his competition round jump during the Nordic Combined event at t