(3 of 3)
Governing bodies that band together as an international federation may then seek admission for their sport in the Winter Olympics, but they must do so at least seven years before a specific Games. The process can be speeded up by making a new sport an offshoot of the old, as has happened with free-style skiing. The disadvantage is that this parent federation may dominate decisions about which events gain medal status. For example, Marc Hodler, the Swiss president of the International Ski Federation, sanctioned the rise of mogul skiing, but reportedly opposes giving the same status to aerials or ballet. Yet the ballet skiers are convinced that two years from now, their sport and aerials will join mogul skiing as full medal events. Says Conny Kissling of Switzerland, who won the demonstration gold in ballet: "They've already built the sites in Lillehammer." Purists may not like change, but Olympic history is full of the novel becoming the venerable. By the Games of 2022, it may be grandam Kissling who is declaring that, say, rhythmic snow dancing does not deserve to be elevated alongside her time-honored pursuit.
