The debate about a possible inclusion of cyclo-cross in the Winter Olympics program is gathering momentum with the announcement that the International Olympic Committee IOC and the UCI will hold a meeting to discuss the possibilities. The cycling federation expects that an inclusion would see the sport become much more international.

When the Lance Armstrong case exploded, it was discussed whether cycling could lose its status as an Olympic discipline. That never happened and instead, the sport may extend its position even further by being added to the program for the Winter Olympics.

Road cycling, mountainbike and BMX are all regarded as summer events and have all been included on the list of disciplines for the Summer Olympics. While most track events take place during the winter, its historic legacy has made it a natural part of the Summer Olympics as well.

The only cycling discipline that is current not an Olympic discipline is the only true winter discipline: cyclo-cross. With the season spanning from October to February, it would naturally belong to the Winter Olympics programme and the games which usually take place in February, would be a fitting conclusion to its season calendar.

At the moment, the discipline cannot be added to the list of disciplines because of a rule that stipulates that all Winter Olympic sports need to involve either ice or snow. In recent months, the discussion of a possible rule change has been gaining momentum.

The International Athletics Federation (IAAF) has expressed its desire to include cross country running in future editions of the Winter Olympics and the federation has traditionally had a huge influence on the International Olympic Committee IOC. The UCI is now joining the movement, supporting the rule change that could open the door for cyclo-cross.

According to reports in Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, the UCI's off-road co-ordinator Peter Van Den Abeele will meet with the IOC sports director, Christophe Dubi, next week where they will discuss the situation.

"If they decide to replace the rule "the sports must be practiced on snow and ice with "should be practiced only during the winter month", then there may be a chance," Van Den Abeele told Het Nieuwsblad.

The sport has historically been dominated by Belgium, with most of the major events taking place in the Benelux country. The sport also has strong traditions in the Netherlands, France and the Czech Republic and is growing quickly in the United States.

Van den Abeele expects that an inclusion in the Winter Olympics will help further the internationalization.

"Olympic Committees of all countries will suddenly be investing in cyclo-cross," Van Den Abeele said.

The ideas were last discussed in 2009 when several national federations recommended the sport to be added to the program. In December, new UCI president Brian Cookson voiced his support of the idea.

“I’m a fan of cyclo-cross, beer, fries and mayonnaise," he told Het Nieuwsblad. "Cyclo-cross as a discipline at the Winter Games is currently impossible because it is not practiced on snow or ice, but perhaps the IOC will one day revise rule. It’s currently missing something."