January 31, 2022
The 2022 Winter Olympics will feature exciting new events, including mixed-gender and women’s-only competitions.
The 2022 Winter Olympics are set to begin on February 3, with athletes from across the globe competing in an assortment of sports across 15 disciplines. Of the impressive 109 medal events being showcased, seven are brand new to the Olympic Winter Games. To increase gender equality at The Winter Olympics, mixed events have been added to the lineup, as well as a new women’s-only event and a popular action sports competition. Here’s a roundup of the new and exciting Winter Olympics events to keep an eye out for.
1. Women’s Monobob
Likely the most notable new event added to the Winter Olympics lineup is the women’s monobob—the first bobsleigh singles event in Olympics history. As the name suggests, the monobob features a sled specially designed for one athlete. This means each athlete will not only be responsible for pushing their sled, but also piloting it throughout the course. And unlike the two-person and four-person events, monobob competitors all race in identical sleds with no technology or aerodynamics added. Team USA has medaled in every women’s bobsled event so far and will look to continue that streak in the monobob event.
2. Free>
PyeongChang first introduced snowboard big air in 2018, and now the freeskiers are set to get in on the action with medal events being held for both men and women. Free>
3. Snowboard Cross: Mixed Team
Mixed team snowboard cross has the potential to be one of the most exhilarating new events at the Winter Olympics and will be the final new mixed event showcased. In this version of snowboard cross, one man and one woman from each participating country are paired together. The men race first, and as each rider crosses the finish line, their teammate's starting gate will immediately open at the top of the course, creating a staggered start for the women. From there, the women race down the course to determine the final results.
4. Freestyling Skiing Aerials: Mixed Team
Mixed team aerials will become the first team event in free>
5. Short-Track Speedskating Relay: Mixed Team
The Winter Olympics schedule will add a third relay event to the short-track program, as the new mixed team relay joins the existing men’s 5000m and women’s 3000m relays. In this discipline, four skaters (two men, two women) per country will participate, with the two women going first for 2.5 laps each, followed by the two men for 2.5 laps each, then the two women for 2 laps each, and the two men for 2 laps each. If an athlete falls, a teammate of the same gender can tag in and finish the relay leg.
6. Ski Jumping: Mixed Team
Ski jumping has featured a men's team event since 1988, but now a mixed team event will be added to the Olympic program for the first time. Each team will consist of four athletes who will jump in the following order: woman, man, woman, man. The competition will take place on the regular hill, and all individual jump scores will be added together to get the team’s total score.
From heart-warming wins to exhilarating tries, the 2022 Winter Olympics will undoubtedly be an event to remember. Be sure to tune in to NBCUniversal’s coverage on February 3 to cheer on athletes going for the gold at home or on the go in the 123 Cable app. Say "Olympics" and "Winter Sports" into your Contour voice remote to easily find events and more.
