Given how tight they've gotten with awarding spots since imposing that 10,500 cap in particular I'm amazed how many non-core team sports they added for LA28. It got to be a bit of a nightmare in several sports for Paris, so unless they increase the cap, the core sports are going to have to cut back even further.
Would be nice if the IOC set one cap for the core sports, and gave the hosts latitude with the non-core sports. If they wanted to go nuts, let 'em, it's their money. If they let LA have Flag Football, I wouldn't rule out anything if Brisbane pushes hard enough.
If lacrosse can be selected then I don't see why Australian rules football can't be selected if they get Olympic sport recognition. Australia will obviously dominate, but there's enough other nations to make a tournament.
As for netball, a women's only event is still much more likely to be accepted than a men's only event. Australia and the netball federation can spin it as bringing equality to the number of men's and women's events (while obviously ignoring that there will be more women at the Olympics).
The NFL are pushing had to develop flag football in Australia in hopes of getting it included in 2032. I hope they fail tbh.
Single gender sports fail the gender equality requirement so netball is out unless they can rapidly fix their gender problem. World Netball not so long ago was refusing utterly to sanction men's international netball or even support the growth of men's netball so they kind of sabotaged themselves and are only changing courses out of self interest because Brisbane was awarded the Olympics.
It doesn't even make sense to propose Aussie rules given how poor the participation is outside of Australia.
- Great Britain
Team Size Prediction for Winter Olympic Games 2026 Milano Cortina
Ski Sports
Alpine Skiing (4) - The qualification system is a bit confusing, but from what I gather the team is Guaranteed 2 quotas (one for each gender), and then more are given for rankings. I can only see 1 female qualifying, but the men's team is a bit stronger, and could improve with some juniors coming through. I would say a baseline of 3, with a max of 5, 6 if things really improve.
Cross Country Skiing (3) - The men's team came 11th in the world cup last year, and with some good results could move up to top 10 which would give 3 quotas, The women's team is non existant.
Ski Jumping (0) - Nope
Nordic Combined (0) - Nope
Freestyle Skiing (6) - Based on last year rankings, the athletes are ranked: M Moguls (26/30), M Ski Cross (26/32), M Halfpipe (33/25), M Slopestyle (39+40/30) W Moguls (23+42/30), W Halfpipe (3/25), W Big Air (5/30), W Slopestyle (19+22/30) Barring Injury , thats 2 quotas on the women's side, and I would predict 4 more, with a max team of 7 or 8.
Snowboarding (2) - W Halfpipe (34/25) is the only unknown quota, as both Charlotte Bankes and Mia Brookes should qualify easily. Huw Nightlingale may get a spot for the Mixed Team snowboard cross but I don't know how it works.
Biathlon (0) - Nope
Ski Mountaineering (0) - Nope
Skating Sports
Speed Skating (2) - Cornelius Kersten and Elia Smelding should qualify, although they both haven't competed this year.
Short Track Speed Skating (2) - A team of 5 went to the world but only a couple could really qualify
Figure Skating (4) - Fear and Gibson should qualify, and the pair team is ranked 16th in the world with 19 qualifiers.
Sleigh Sports
Luge (0) - Nope
Skeleton (6) - A full team is certainly on the cards, but with only ranking points from the next season counting a lot could change
Bobsleigh (6) - Brad Hall and Co should qualify for both 2 and 4 man. I doubt any more will qualify from the mens side. Adele Nicholl on the womens should also qualify in both events
Team Sports
Curling (12) - Anything but a full team would be a dissapointment
Ice Hockey (0) - The men were the only chance
Total Optimistic Prediction - (60)
Total Pessimistic Prediction - (32)
Total Realistic Prediction - (47)