Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ALETIHAD)
The UAE is set to break new ground in international sports next month as it makes its historic first-ever appearance at the Winter Olympic Games.
The National Olympic Committee (NOC) confirmed the details of this milestone during a press conference in Dubai on Thursday, ahead of the 26th edition of the Games, which will be hosted by the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina from February 6 to 22.
Representing the UAE on this global stage are alpine skiers Aleksander Estridge and Piera Hudson. Both athletes qualified on merit following a string of impressive international results. The duo will compete in the alpine skiing events, which are scheduled over three days of the official programme.
In a unique arrangement for the opening ceremony, the UAE flag will be raised in two locations simultaneously: Estridge will carry the national colours in Milan, while Hudson will lead the representation in Cortina.
Speaking at the announcement, Hamel Al Qubaisi, Vice President of the UAE Winter Sports Federation, described the participation as an “unprecedented achievement”.
“This affirms that Emirati sport knows no boundaries – neither geographical nor climatic,” Al Qubaisi said. “It is driven by an ambitious vision to build a generation capable of excellence and global competitiveness.”
The move to the Olympic stage follows a strategic build-up for the nation’s winter sports programme, where a six-member contingent took part at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, followed by participation at the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin and the Asian Winter Games 2025, thus signalling the country’s intent to become a consistent presence in winter sports.
The UAE joined the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) in September 2024 and has seen its athletes gain experience through the FIS Development Programme in Switzerland.
The 2026 Games are expected to draw 2,900 elite athletes competing for 114 sets of medals across eight sports.
The press conference was also attended by Ahmed Al Tayeb, Director of Technical and Sports Affairs at the NOC, and Mohammed Khadem, Chairman of the Ski Committee.
