Cross-Country: The Greatest Sport Not in the Olympic Games

It was only 13 years later, in 1937, that the International Cross Country Union proposed “the advisability of making representation to the Olympic Association to include a cross-country event in their winter program.” Further details appeared again in 1939: “At the council meeting held on the morning of the race [the 1939 International Cross Country Championship], further consideration was given to cross-country running being given Olympic status. The subject was discussed at length and on being voted upon the whole of the member countries favored the idea. The honorary secretary was asked to convey the decision of the council to the honorary secretary of the International Amateur Athletic Federation.” It’s not known when or if the result of this vote ever got delivered to the IAAF. Less than six months later, Germany invaded Poland and World War II was underway.

• It was only 13 years later, in 1937, that the International Cross Country Union proposed “the advisability of making representation to the Olympic Association to include a cross-country event in their winter program.” Further details appeared again in 1939: “At the council meeting held on the morning of the race [the 1939 International Cross Country Championship], further consideration was given to cross-country running being given Olympic status. The subject was discussed at length and on being voted upon the whole of the member countries favored the idea. The honorary secretary was asked to convey the decision of the council to the honorary secretary of the International Amateur Athletic Federation.” It’s not known when or if the result of this vote ever got delivered to the IAAF. Less than six months later, Germany invaded Poland and World War II was underway.