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It’s a big day for Moroccan sport as the Winter Olympics open in Milan today. Morocco has two athletes ready to compete, contributing to the biggest African turnout we’ve seen in years.
The Games, running from 6 to 22 February across venues in Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo and surrounding Alpine locations, bring together athletes from around the world in winter disciplines rarely practiced on African soil. African participation continues to grow in winter sports, especially with so many athletes now finding ways to train abroad and bring that experience back to represent their roots on the world stage.
Morocco returns with a two-athlete team
Morocco will be represented by alpine skier Pietro Tranchina and cross-country skier Abderrahim Kemmissa. This will be the country’s eighth participation in the Winter Olympics and its fifth consecutive appearance.
After switching his sporting nationality to Morocco last year, Tranchina will take on the slalom and giant slalom events starting February 13. Kemmissa will take part in the men’s 10 km freestyle cross-country race early in the program.
Morocco is still hunting for its first Winter Olympic medal, but just being there shows a real dedication to the winter sport that goes all the way back to Grenoble 1968. Milano-Cortina is another chance for the team to gain some serious experience and put Moroccan winter sports on the map.
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Africa’s biggest Winter Olympic delegation in years
Across the continent, 15 athletes from eight countries are competing at Milano-Cortina 2026, an increase from the six athletes representing five African nations at Beijing 2022.
Alongside Morocco’s two athletes, the African contingent includes:
- South Africa — five athletes (the continent’s largest delegation)
- Madagascar — two athletes
- Kenya — two athletes
- Nigeria, Eritrea, Benin and Guinea-Bissau—one athlete each
Most of the African athletes will compete in alpine skiing, with others entered in cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing and skeleton.
The rising numbers show that Africa is slowly but surely carving out a space in winter sports. Even though most of these athletes have to train in Europe or North America because of the lack of snow at home, it’s a huge step forward.
For countries like Benin and Guinea-Bissau, Milan-Cortina is even more special because it’s their very first time ever at a Winter Olympics.
Stories to watch
South Africa arrives at Milano with a record-breaking squad, featuring five athletes making their Olympic debuts. They join a seasoned group of African competitors, including Madagascar’s Mialitiana Clerc, now at her third Winter Games, and Nigeria’s Samuel Ikpefan, who is back for his second Olympic appearance in cross-country skiing.
Kenya and Eritrea also maintain a presence through athletes who have become regular representatives of their countries on the winter circuit.
Many of these athletes have benefited from Olympic Solidarity support programs, which help cover training and competition costs to broaden global participation in the Games.
How to watch
Coverage is available on beIN SPORTS, SuperSport, KBC, SportyTV, USA Network, BBC, and France Télévisions.
