Africa will be represented by 15 athletes from eight countries at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano–Cortina, Italy, which run from 6 to 22 February 2026.
Sixteen winter sports will feature at the Games, including alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, figure skating, snowboarding, and, for the first time, ski mountaineering.
While 15 athletes is small compared with winter-sport powerhouses such as Norway, Germany, or the United States, it marks real progress. 
At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, only six African athletes competed.
Here is a detailed look at each of the 15 African athletes set to compete.
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15 African Athletes At The 2026 Winter Olympics
Nigeria
1. Samuel Ikpefan – Cross-Country Skiing
Samuel Ikpefan is Nigeria’s only representative at the Milano–Cortina Games. He will compete in the 10 km freestyle and sprint classic events.
He was born in Haute-Savoie, France, to a French mother and a Nigerian father from Edo State.
Ikpefan grew up in the Alps, where winter sports were part of daily life, and he first represented Nigeria at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the country’s first Winter Olympian.
His performance there was affected after he contracted COVID-19 before the Games. He finished 73rd in the sprint qualifying round and did not complete the 15 km classical race.
Now 34, he arrives in Italy motivated to deliver stronger performances and to represent Nigeria with pride. He also sees himself as a role model for African athletes from non-traditional winter sports nations.
Morocco
2. Pietro Tranchina – Alpine Skiing
Pietro Tranchina will compete for Morocco in slalom and giant slalom. He is considered one of the country’s leading alpine skiers and will carry Morocco’s hopes on the technical courses.
3. Abderrahim Kemmissa – Cross-Country Skiing
Abderrahim Kemmissa will represent Morocco in the men’s 10km freestyle cross-country skiing event, adding endurance skiing to the country’s Olympic programme.
Kenya
4. Issa Laborde – Alpine Skiing
Issa Laborde, born in France, will represent Kenya in alpine skiing. The 18-year-old previously competed at the Winter Youth Olympics and now steps up to the senior Olympic stage.
5. Sabrina Simader – Alpine Skiing
Sabrina Simader is one of Africa’s most recognisable winter athletes. She previously represented Kenya at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.
After initially announcing her retirement, she is expected to return for Milano–Cortina, continuing her trailblazing role in Kenyan winter sports.
South Africa
South Africa will field the largest African delegation, with five athletes, all making their Olympic debuts.
6. Lara Markthaler—Alpine Skiing
The 18-year-old will compete in the women’s slalom and giant slalom, becoming one of the youngest African athletes at the Games.
7. Thomas Weir – Alpine Skiing
At just 17, Thomas Weir will race in the men’s slalom and giant slalom, marking him as one of South Africa’s brightest young winter prospects.
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8. Matthew Smith – Cross-Country Skiing
Matthew Smith will compete in the 10 km freestyle cross-country event, representing South Africa in endurance skiing.
9. Malica Malherbe – Freestyle Skiing
Malica Malherbe will compete in the women’s dual moguls, one of the newer freestyle skiing events on the Olympic programme.
10. Nicole Burger – Skeleton
Nicole Burger will compete in skeleton, one of the fastest and most demanding sliding sports at the Winter Olympics, making her one of the few African athletes in this discipline.
Madagascar
11. Mialitiana Clerc—Alpine Skiing
Mialitiana Clerc will make history as the first African woman to compete at three Winter Olympics. She made her Olympic debut at just 16 during PyeongChang 2018 and continues to be a central figure in Madagascar’s winter sports journey.
12. Mathieu Gravier – Alpine Skiing
Mathieu Gravier returns for his second Olympic appearance, competing in the giant slalom and strengthening Madagascar’s presence in alpine skiing.
Eritrea
13. Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda – Alpine Skiing
Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda will compete at his third Winter Olympics and has indicated that Milano–Cortina will likely be his final Games. At Beijing 2022, he finished 39th, and he hopes to improve on that result before closing his Olympic career.
Benin
14. Nathan Tchibozo – Alpine Skiing
Nathan Tchibozo will become Benin’s first-ever Winter Olympian. The 21-year-old French-born skier will compete in slalom and giant slalom, marking a historic milestone for his country.
Guinea-Bissau
15. Winston Tang – Alpine Skiing
Nineteen-year-old Winston Tang will make history as Guinea-Bissau’s first Winter Olympic athlete. He was born in Utah and he brings international racing experience to the Games and represents a new chapter for the nation.
Africa remains under-represented because most African countries lack snow, the mountains suited to winter sports and the expensive infrastructure needed for elite training.
As a result, many African Olympians are based in Europe or North America and compete through diaspora pathways.
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