One of just five South African athletes to compete at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, cross-country skier Matthew Smith's Olympic journey has been anything but typical.

Fourteen athletes from eight African nations are set to compete at the Winter Olympics, marking a significant increase from Beijing 2022.

Athletes from around the world are in the Italian Alps for the opening of the 2026 Winter Olympics on Friday – including 13 sportspeople from eight African countries. Though the continent isn't associated with winter sports,

Six Olympic skiers joined by ⁠their parents, coaches and ​federation presidents came together on Sunday to advocate for more inclusion at the Winter Games. Representing Jamaica, Kenya, Eritrea, Madagascar,