I can't see how any sport can be included ahead of cross country running considering it is by far the most participated of all of the sports being considered. (The fact is, cross country has more worldwide appeal and a higher level of participation than all of the other sports under consideration combined.) This is a sport that already has well established rules, various levels of national and international competitions. There are no economic, geographical or environmental impediments to participating in cross country; it involves very little specialized equipment; does not require a permanent physical structure and will not compete with other sports for building space or time. Cross country’s international governing body is already a constituent organization of the International Olympic Committee. Cross country competitions predates the modern Olympics, was once part of the modern Olympics and is perhaps one of the oldest sports known to mankind.
If the issue is that cross country is traditionally a winter sport, well so is basketball and a half dozen other sports that are part of the summer Olympics. If cross country fits better into the winter Olympics, that’s okay and to the argument that winter sports must be conducted on snow or ice, use the same course as cross country skiing.
I am not making an argument against any sport being added to the Olympics, but any sport being considered would certainly have to take a backseat to cross country. - What am I missing?
