Kevin Rolland (at X Games) wil likely be among those
competing in ski pipe in Sochi.It appears that slopestyle fans will get there wish ... the park oriented disciplines appears slotted to debut as an Olympic sport at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi Russia. With the success of halfpipe snowboarding and boarder/skiercross, it only makes sense. No doubt the IOC recognizes the importance ot keeping their appeal among younger viewers. For the ski crowd, this is welcome news. Let's just hope that Shaun White decides not to pick up skiing winning four gold medals in one Olympics would just be obnoxious.

Here's a release from the IOC:

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today announced that it is looking favourably at the inclusion of the following events in the programme of the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi in 2014:

- Women s Ski Jumping
- Ski Halfpipe (Men and Women)
- Ski Slopestyle (Men and Women)
- Snowboard Slopestyle (Men and Women)
- Biathlon Mixed Team Relay
- Figure Skating Team Event
- Luge Team Relay

Before taking a final decision, the EB said it would like to consider the outcome of the respective World Championships which will take place during the winter season in 2011.

The EB has empowered the IOC President to take the final decision on its behalf.

The IOC Olympic Programme Commission analysed all the requests put forward by the International Sports Federations based on established criteria, and submitted its findings to the EB. The key positive factors included whether the changes would increase universality, gender equity and youth appeal, and in general add value to the Games. Other considerations included the cost of infrastructure, and the impact on the overall quota and the number of events.

The EB this morning also agreed that the event of freestyle skiing ski cross (Men and Women), which was provisionally included in Vancouver, would be maintained on the programme of the Olympic Winter Games.

Finally, the EB confirmed that the sports programme of the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, which will be presented to the IOC Session for approval, would be the same as the one in Sochi, with seven sports.