When the 2026 Olympic Winter Games kicked off on February 6 at Milano Cortina, Samuel Ikpefan stood as the only Nigerian athlete set to participate in the Games.

Competing in cross-country skiing, the 33-year-old, born to a Nigerian father and French mother, was raised in the French Alps, a region where snow and winter sports were a natural part of his upbringing. This made him tap into cross-country skiing at a young age, and over time, this transformed into competitive skiing, where he progressed through regional, national, and eventually international competitions while flying Nigeria’s flag. Before his current outing with Nigeria at Milano Cortina, he was also the country’s only flagbearer at Beijing 2022, where he finished 73rd overall in the men’s sprint free but opted against competing in the 15km Classic due to Covid-19 complications.

This year, Ikpefan has already featured in the men’s sprint classic event, placing 65th. Come February 13, the 33-year-old will further his campaign for Nigeria in the men’s 10km interval start free.

 

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Like Ikpefan for Nigeria, 13 other African athletes have defied the continent’s climatic conditions to represent seven African countries at the Winter Olympics. This represents a major upshot from Africa’s delegation in Beijing 2022, where the continent was represented by six athletes from five nations. Here’s a closer look at the countries involved, their athletes, and their respective events.

South Africa

 

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South Africa is the country with the highest delegation at the 2026 Winter Olympics, with five athletes, all of whom are set to make their debuts. Matthew Smit, the flagbearer, who is nicknamed “The Snowbok”, will compete in cross-country skiing at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing Stadium in Val di Fiemme, Italy.

Other South African delegates include the 18-year-old Lara Markthaler, who will compete in women’s alpine skiing, while 17-year-old Thomas Weir will also represent the country in the men’s alpine skiing events. Malica Malherbe and Nicole Burger will represent the country in freestyle skiing and skeleton, respectively.

Morocco

Abderrahim Kemmissa and Pietro Tranchina are Morocco’s delegates at the Games. While Kemmissa will represent the North Africans in the 10km freestyle event in cross-country skiing, Tranchina will compete in the slalom and giant slalom events in alpine skiing.

Kenya

Dear Kenyans, on Valentines’ day something special will happen. A special kind of love.❤️

As the Winter Games go on in Milano Cortina, a special 18 year old, Issa Laborde will be lifting our flag high in the cold mountains of Italy. A boy with hopes, dreams and a passion. His… pic.twitter.com/jtpYzXyJBv

— TeamKenya (@OlympicsKe) February 9, 2026

Eighteen-year-old Issa Laborde is one of Kenya’s two athletes at Milano Cortina, and he will represent the country in alpine skiing. The teenager represented the East African country at the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games and is in the company of veteran Sabrina Wanjiku Simader, Kenya’s most established winter sports athlete, who will compete in alpine skiing at her third Olympic Games.

Madagascar

Madagascar’s two-athlete delegation at Milano Cortina will fly the country’s flag in alpine skiing. Mialitiana Clerc, making history as the first African woman to feature at three Winter Olympics following her debut with the Indian Ocean nation at PyeongChang 2018, will represent Madagascar this year in the women’s slalom and giant slalom events. She is in the company of Mathieu Gravier, who will compete in the giant slalom. It is Gravier’s second Olympic appearance following his debut at Beijing 2022.

Eritrea

In what is set to be his final Olympic appearance, 29-year-old Shannon-Ogbnai Abeda will fly Eritrea’s flag at Milano Cortina in alpine skiing. Abeda competed at PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, and will be looking to improve on his 39th-place finish at Beijing.

Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau’s Winston Tang is one of the most interesting African profiles at the Winter 2026 Olympics, largely due to his background: He is Taiwanese-American-Guinea-Bissauan. The 19-year-old will represent the West African country in the men’s slalom event in alpine skiing.

Benin

Nathan Tchibozo is Benin’s first ever athlete at the Winter Olympics. 🤩

We’re looking forward to his debut in alpine skiing.🎿#OpeningCeremony #MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/ADx60i9JVj

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) February 6, 2026

France-born Nathan Tchibozo will represent Benin in alpine skiing at the Winter Games. The 21-year-old is set to become the first athlete to represent Benin in the tournament’s history.