Nigeria Marks Fourth Consecutive Appearance at Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026

Nigeria Marks Fourth Consecutive Appearance at Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026

By Admin 

Nigeria continues to solidify its presence on the global sports stage with its fourth consecutive participation in the Winter Olympics, this time at the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Games, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

This ongoing streak began in 2018 when Nigeria made its groundbreaking debut at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. During that inaugural appearance, Nigerian athletes Seun Adigun and her two brakewomen represented the country in bobsleigh, while Simidele Adeagbo competed in skeleton, marking a historic moment for the nation.

As the 2026 Winter Olympics run from February 6 to 22 in Italy, Nigeria is once again represented, with cross-country skier Samuel Ikpefan flying the flag. Ikpefan, who previously competed in the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, has returned to the Games for another shot at international success.

Originally from Edo State, Nigeria, Ikpefan now trains in Switzerland to take advantage of optimal conditions to sharpen his skills ahead of the competition. Reflecting on his journey since his debut at the 2022 Winter Games, Ikpefan stated he feels stronger and more prepared, drawing from the valuable experience gained in Beijing.

While he remains realistic about his chances of securing a medal, Ikpefan is focused on giving his best performance on the snow and continuing to inspire with his unwavering dedication to winter sports.

Sadly, Simidele Adeagbo, who has competed in both bobsleigh and skeleton, did not qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The qualification process for bobsleigh is ranking-based, and Adeagbo’s world ranking of 26th fell short of the top 25 required for participation.

Mrs. Kemi Obidahunsi, an official from the Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) accompanying Team Nigeria, confirmed that only Ikpefan qualified for the Games through the continental qualifications.

Despite the absence of additional athletes, Nigeria remains part of the larger African contingent, with eight athletes from across the continent competing in different winter sports disciplines at the Milano-Cortina Games.

The Nigerian delegation to the Winter Olympics is led by the President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engr. Habu Ahmed Gumel.