Nordic combined is back once again for the Olympics, and much has happened since the competition in PyeongChang. Still, Nordic combined remains the only Olympic sport in which only men can compete, so women will be unable to compete in the sport in Beijing.
Who's Back
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Three-time Olympic gold medalist Eric Frenzel is expected to make the trip to Beijing to once again represent Germany in Nordic combined competition. The 32-year-old won a pair of gold medals in PyeongChang — one on the normal hill and another on the team relay. He is one of the most successful Nordic combined athletes ever and even served as Germany's flagbearer during the Opening Ceremony in PyeongChang.
Japan's Akito Watabe is also expected to return to the Olympics and compete for his first gold medal in Nordic combined. The four-time Olympian has won silver medals for two consecutive Olympics (Sochi and PyeongChang), but is determined to end his chase for gold in Beijing.
Who's Gone
Magnus Krog of Norway announced his retirement from Nordic combined in April. Krog, 34, won a gold medal in Sochi in the team large hill/4x5 km event. He also won a bronze medal in the individual normal hill/10 km event that year.
Three-time Olympian Lukas Runggaldier also announced his retirement from Nordic combined in 2020. The 34-year-old native of Italy competed in Vancouver, Sochi and PyeongChang. While Runggaldier ended up winning a medal at the Olympics, he did finish in seventh place in the individual normal hill/10 km event in Sochi.