Synchronized figure skating could be added to the Winter Olympics in 2018, if an International Skating Union request goes through.
The ISU asked the International Olympic Committee to consider adding synchronized skating and a mass start speed skating event to the Winter Olympic program, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The ISU also asked the IOC to consider adding a mass start long-track speed skating event. ISU president Ottavio Cinquanta made initial, internal proposals to ISU officials in March before going to the IOC.
The IOC Executive Board will approve the final 2018 Winter Olympic program in April, according to the newspaper.
As with any sports seeking Olympic inclusion, a big hurdle for synchronized skating is its associated added number of athletes, officials and costs to the Winter Games.
Synchronized skating has its own World Championships but has never been part of the Olympics. The ISU prefers the teams be all women in the Olympics but is open to mixed-gender, according to the report.
The proposed mass start speed skating event would not increase the total number of athletes at the Olympics, because it would only include those skaters already qualified in either short track or long track, according to the report.
