72 nations and 2,176 participants contested in 7 sports and 68 events at 15 venues. The Games saw the introduction of women's ice hockey, curling and snowboarding. National Hockey League players were allowed to participate in the men's ice hockey.

What became a winter olympic sport in 1998? OK. Let's think. My stream of consciousness:
To answer the question, consider the following: The Games saw the introduction of women's ice hockey, curling and snowboarding. The answer is women 's ice hockey , curling and snowboarding.