MAIN Sports Olympic Games Olympic Nordic Combined Skiing

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Much like the Olympic biathlon that combines two separate disciplines in one sport, the Nordic Combined pairs the elegance and technical grace of ski jumping with the physical stamina required of Olympic cross-country skiing.

The Nordic Combined not surprisingly began in Northern Europe with Norwegian skiiers dominating the sport since it was first included in the Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix - Mont Blanc in 1924.

It wasn't until 1952 that the rules were changed to reverse the order of the two sports, providing a spectacular start to the event - in which athletes become airborne and then land to begin their cross-country trek.

There are three heats in the Nordic Combined, two individual and one team event. For the Individual Gundersen event, ski jumping takes place at a height of 90 metres. For the team and the sprint events, the jump takes place at 120 metres. The cross-country portion of the Individual Gundersen event has a 15km race, the sprint a 7.5km race, and the team event has a 4x5km relay.

Currently, the Nordic Combined competition is open to men only.

More about Olympic Nordic Combined around the Web:

Nordic Combined - Vancouver 2010 - Competition schedule, venue locations, photo gallery, training guide and related sports terms.

International Olympic Committee - Nordic Combined - Overview of the Nordic Combined competitions, list of events, Olympic records, athlete profiles, picture gallery, related links.

United States Olympic Committee - Skiing - The official site featuring the latest news and updates, athlete profiles, Olympic records.

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