In a new programme which bears distinct similarities with events held in both long-track speed skating and in track cycling, all the additional events can be held over varying distances at international competitions, it was decided during the International Skating Union (ISU) Congress here.

This includes the mixed team relay which has already made a successful debut at age group level during February's Winter Youth Olympic Games in Lillehammer.

Also to be added are an unspecified team competition, as well as a points competition, an elimination competition, a combined points elimination competition, a pursuit competition, a team madison relay competition, a Nations Trophy and a win and out competition. 

It is not yet clear exactly how these would all work, but they have been introduced with the aim of generating excitement and boosting television audiences.

A team pursuit event, in which teams skate in formation to time, was introduced into long-track speed skating in 2005 and rapidly parachuted onto the Olympic programme the following year in Turin.

Others are completely new but have proved successful in other sports.

In cycling, a points race consists of a long-distance race in which competitors are rewarded for gaining a whole lap on the rest of the field while also partaking in intermediate sprints.

A madison is a pairs event where riders switch in a rotating relay format, while an elimination race is included within the omnium format, with the slowest racer being ousted at regular intervals until only one is left.

It is not yet clear if or when these events will be added to the World Cup and World Championship short-track programmes, with it likely they will be tested at a lower level first.

In order for them to be held, an "application must be sent in advance to the ISU Technical Committee, and the approval of the Committee must be obtained".

A report must then be submitted on the success of the innovation afterwards.

This was decided on another busy day of technical discussions in which delegates were split into separate branch meetings for speed skating and figure skating. 

A Dutch proposal to introduce an ISU Nations Trophy Short Track event in which mixed team races would be held was rejected, but the Technical Committee promised to look at the idea in more detail.

Mixed team relay is seen as an event which could one day feature on the Olympic programme.

insidethegames is attempting to find more details about how exactly each of these new events would work.